10 Stars of World Football Who Could Retire in 2015
Watching the stars of football rise to their peak is among the greatest joys of the sport as a spectator, but the journey comes to an end for every professional, some of whom are eyeing retirement in 2015.
From their lofty perches in Europe to the humble abodes in South America and retirement hubs of Asia and Major League Soccer, a raft of veteran stars will hang up their boots this year.
Some look more certain to call it a day than others, while a select few have already hinted the end is nigh.
We've assembled a list of those heralded names with contracts coming to an end in 2015 which are very possibly their last, each of whom will be missed figures.
Honourable Mentions
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John Terry
An honourable mention given that the Chelsea stalwart is highly likely to sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge this year, but John Terry nevertheless remains an uncertainty until his name is once again on the dotted line.
Jose Mourinho has been quoted by Sky Sports as saying the 34-year-old's case is "a formality," but Frank Lampard's departure last season showed how moods can swiftly change, even when matters seem definite.
Brad Friedel
One of football's current immortals, many may not even remember that Brad Friedel's playing days linger on given that he hasn't made a first-team appearance for Tottenham since last March.
The former United States international turns 44 in May before his current deal with Spurs expires. It would be a joy to see the evergreen goalkeeper prolong his playing days, perhaps with a move to Major League Soccer, but it's an extreme possibility 2015 could bring about Friedel's exit from the pitch altogether.
Ricardo Carvalho
Another honourable mention who shares a long-term connection to Chelsea, Ricardo Carvalho is still chugging along on the French Riviera, having made 19 appearances for Monaco this season across all competitions.
At 36, however, those aches and pains will understandably begin to tell for the ex-Portuguese international, who hasn't played since November after picking up a calf injury and is yet to pen a Monaco extension.
1. Antonio Di Natale
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Having turned 37 in October, it's a miracle that Antonio Di Natale is still featuring at top-flight level, never mind casting the same prolific figure for Udinese that he has for a decade now.
With eight Serie A goals this season, the far-from-fresh striker remains a valuable asset in Italy's first tier, but talk of retirement has once again come to the fore.
Last year, Di Natale was set on hanging up his boots, but chose to reverse his decision, quoted by Sky Sports at the time in explaining his choice:
"I no longer had the will to play. Then the Pozzo family, the fans, my wife and my children made me change my mind. A week ago I spoke on the phone with the new coach (Andrea Stramaccioni), who asked me to return for the first day of pre-season. I accepted this with enthusiasm because I want to train and start well.
I would like to get to 205 Serie A goals alongside Roberto Baggio, as for me it would be an honour to be alongside a great champion like him. Recently I met with him and we spoke about this. I wish to reach 200 goals to make my dad happy, as at this moment he is not well.
"
The ex-Italian international has since broken the 200-goal mark and holds a record of 201 goals in 404 Serie A appearances, netting on average just under one goal every other game.
Should Di Natale be able to bag just four more in the 22 remaining league games this season—a very reachable target—and break the 205-goal barrier as stated, this could be the year he finally calls it a day.
2. Nicolas Anelka
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One of the most-chronicled journeymen football has ever seen may have one last whip around the Asian elite before hanging up his boots in 2015, with Nicolas Anelka potentially eyeing a playing departure.
The soon-to-be 36-year-old just completed a fairly quiet campaign with Mumbai City in the inaugural Indian Super League season, along with a host of other seasoned professionals also winding down their careers.
According to the New Straits Times (h/t ESPN FC's Kelvin Leong), Anelka could stick around in Asia if his wishes to play for Malaysian Super League side Selangor FA are found to be true.
Even if that is the case, however, Malaysia's season ends in December, meaning he could play a whole campaign and still end his playing days before 2015 is concluded.
It will be a memorable day when the former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Arsenal and Liverpool striker does take his leave, currently without a club and contemplating where, or whether, to carry on.
3. Alessandro Del Piero
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Another member of the Indian Super League ranks at present, Alessandro Del Piero is also on the market after coming to the end of his agreed deal in the newly established division with Delhi Dynamos.
The former Juventus star has taken his career past the magic 40 thanks to some rejuvenating spells with Sydney FC and Delhi, but now without a club, Del Piero is once again at a crossroads.
In his prime—and even now—the Italian was capable of the most majestic feats on the pitch, but his talents are now seemingly best-suited to those nations below the elite level.
Rather than peter out as an ancient, "Il Fenomeno Vero" might now look to retire. Although with Carlos Tevez recently telling Argentina outlet Ole (h/t ESPN FC's Ben Gladwell) of his intentions to leave this summer, a certain club in Turin may have use for another forward.
4. Rio Ferdinand
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Centre-back is one of the most difficult positions in which to maintain quality when entering one's twilight years, which Queens Park Rangers defender Rio Ferdinand is now finding out.
By all means, his last couple of seasons with Manchester United probably meant he was aware of the decline already, but the signs are now at their strongest that the former England bastion isn't the superpower of old.
Ferdinand has already made numerous television appearances as a pundit during international competitions, signing a three-year deal with BT Sport in 2013, per the Daily Mail's Rik Sharma.
With that post-retirement cushion in place, the 36-year-old has nothing to fear in terms of job security and will never be far from the Premier League, where prolonging his playing days much further could end in bitter fashion.
5. Juan Roman Riquelme
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Many at the Bombonera would have preferred to see the midfield legend retire as a Boca Juniors player, but Juan Roman Riquelme opted to join boyhood club Argentinos Juniors last July, taking it back to where it all began.
It's a popular decision among ageing stars and an indicator that things are assuredly nearing an end for the former Argentina international, regarded by some as among the best attacking midfielders ever to have played.
Now in Argentina's second division, Riquelme's contract will expire at the very end of 2015, and it's as of yet unclear as to whether he intends to go on.
6. Dimitar Berbatov
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Given his reputation for being one of Europe's less industrious strikers, Dimitar Berbatov may actually play well into his 40s before feeling enough of a strain to call it quits.
However, should he feel 34 is old enough come season's end, the soon-to-be out-of-contract Monaco frontman has no new prospects to examine at present and could depart in 2015.
It was only last month Eurosport reported that Bulgarian national team manager Ivaylo Petev was attempting to lure Berbatov out of international retirement and come back into his side's fold.
However, tiding over a club career may be effort enough for the former Manchester United, Tottenham and Bayer Leverkusen forward.
His style of play means work-rate isn't everything, but waning stamina will still play heavily on Berbatov's mind when it comes to making a decision on his future later this year.
7. Djibril Cisse
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Djibril Cisse's 2015 retirement seems more of a foregone conclusion than a possibility after the striker revealed in October that injuries were playing heavily on his health.
A recurring hip injury caused doctors to tell the former France international that he shouldn't continue, and he spoke to French television channel L'Equipe 21 (h/t Ian Holyman of ESPN FC) regarding his intentions:
"In my situation, if I manage to do it, it'll be great. I could have and should have stopped. All the specialists have told me it's dangerous to continue like this. But I don't want to. And I can't stop so close to my objective. There will surely be four penalties before the end of the year. I can grit my teeth for a season, but for two or even three, it's not possible. So, I think this will be my last season.
"
Irrespective of how much gritting of the teeth there has been, the 33-year-old is yet to get his Ligue 1 campaign off the mark, failing to score in five league appearances for Bastia this term.
Given his injury concerns, even failing to reach the 100-goal mark in Ligue 1 may not be enough to convince the striker to continue, and his interests in the fashion industry offer Cisse an accommodating post-career distraction.
8. Didier Drogba
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Many felt that leaving Chelsea after the Champions League triumph of 2012 was the right choice for Didier Drogba, but the Stamford Bridge favourite just couldn't help trying his hand in west London again.
Penning a one-year deal with the Blues last summer, the Ivorian is once again coming to the end of his contract and faces leaving their playing ranks for a second time this summer.
Mourinho has been open in stating the striker—who turns 37 in March—has a "job for life" when he does decide to retire, per the Guardian's Dominic Fifield:
"The important thing is he is here and will finish his career with Chelsea. It looks, for me, that he’s going to stay doing other things when he finishes his career. I don’t know if this will be his last season as a player. It must be his decision. He came here to stay, I want him to stay, the club want him to stay. It will be his decision when he decides when he must stop as a player. Something personal.
"
Behind Diego Costa, Drogba has been little more than a bench provision this season, but even so, some of his performances have shown some of the quality that once entertained Chelsea's support week in, week out.
However emotional it may be to bid farewell once more, Drogba's use to the club is up for debate this year, and if Chelsea succeed in winning one or more major titles, he may again choose to bow out on a high.
9. Esteban Cambiasso
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A year ago, it may have seemed absurd to suggest Esteban Cambiasso, a man with one Champions League title, five Scudetto crowns, four Coppa Italias, one La Liga crown and a FIFA Club World Cup would retire at Leicester City.
The Premier League new boys sealed a major coup last summer in managing to grasp the former Inter star's services on a one-year deal, but no sooner has he become a fan favourite than his days at the King Power Stadium may end.
At the start of next season, Cambiasso will be a ripe, old 35 and although defensive midfield can often be an area in which some are capable of disguising their age, the man himself may see this summer as the time to turn in.
10. Rogerio Ceni
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This year isn't the first that stories of Rogerio Ceni's possible retirement have surfaced, and Sao Paulo fans were overjoyed to hear their servant of 25 years would remain for the duration of 2015.
Turning 42 later this month, Ceni will soon have spent a quarter of a century in Sao Paulo's ranks, an astonishing achievement, although a notably more remarkable feat is his 123 career goals.
The veteran stopper is known for his prolific record from the set piece, an attribute which makes him arguably one of the most unique players, and certainly goalkeepers, ever to have played.
Ceni will once more enter the crucible of the Copa Libertadores and look to bring his only professional club one last title before more than likely ending his playing days before 2015 is over.
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