Former Liverpool centre-back Joel Matip has reportedly decided to retire from football, following a lengthy career marked by significant success. According to German outlet Ruhr Nachrichten S04, the 33-year-old Cameroonian has opted to hang up his boots after being released by Liverpool and coming close to joining several clubs this summer.
Matip’s career faced a major setback in December 2023 when he suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament, forcing him to miss the second half of the season under Jürgen Klopp. Despite his release from Liverpool in 2024, the experienced defender was still highly regarded, with several clubs— including Juventus, Roma, and former team Schalke—expressing interest in signing him.
However, despite these opportunities, Matip has chosen to end his playing career. The decision comes after a successful tenure at Liverpool, where he won numerous trophies including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup. His career also saw domestic success in Germany, winning the DFL-Supercup and DFB-Pokal during his time at Schalke.
Matip’s retirement marks the end of an accomplished football journey, having established himself as a key figure in Liverpool’s recent golden era.
