13 World Football Players Who Need to Retire After the Season (or Sooner)

We all know players who just can’t seem to be able to call it quits.

Many guys play too long until a major injury or eventual common sense comes into play.

No one wants to see a player play longer than they should and taint what should be a great career with below-par play.

Here’s a look at the 13 players who need to retire really quickly.

Zinedine Zidane


I had to throw this in here.

I think all soccer fans remember Zidane’s infamous head-butt in the Italy Vs. France in the 2006 World Cup.

Zidane is already retired, but I couldn’t resist bringing him up.

Goodbye, and good riddance.

Francesco Totti

AGE: 35

Totti is the captain of Serie A club in Roma.

After an incredible career, Totti’s production has seen a slight decline and it’s noticeable in his play.

It may not be time hang up the cleats right now, but definitely soon before fans remember him as just another aging player.

Should Retire: Within two years

Roberto Carlos

AGE: 38

Carlos is older than dust.

Originally from Brazil, Carlos now plays for a Russian football club.

Carlos has played for seven (SEVEN) different clubs with his notable one being Real Madrid, but his career is definitely winding down.

Common now, it’s time to call it a career.

Should Retire: Two years ago

Ryan Giggs

AGE: 37

Giggs is the only player to score in every season of the Premiere League.

Giggs has played his entire career with Manchester United, and has an incredible 159 career goals.

Last season, Giggs only scored four goals, and so far this season he doesn’t have a goal.

Should Retire: Relatively soon

Cuauhtemoc Blanco

AGE: 38

It seems like Blanco has been around forever.

Blanco has bounced around from league to league, and he hasn’t been the same player since he left the Chicago Fire.

Blanco’s time is running out, and he should call it quits before his play really gets worse and it becomes awkward for everyone.

Should Retire: Last season

Ronaldinho

AGE: 31

How is it that the one time “best player in the world” has come to mediocrity?

Many soccer fans know Ronaldinho, from Brazil, for his time in Barcelona and his play for Brazil in several World Cups.

A solid, but underachieving, career is about ready to close.

Should Retire: Within two years

Chris Kirkland

AGE: 30

Kirkland is like the Greg Oden of soccer.

For those of you unfamiliar with NBA basketball, Oden has battled injuries his entire career and has rarely stayed healthy. The same unfortunately can be said for Kirkland.

After an injury-plagued career, Kirkland doesn’t really have much left in the tank to truly compete at an elite level.

Should Retire: Now, before it gets worse

Park Ji Sung

AGE: 30

Sung at one time was the top Korean player in the world.

He’s still a solid player, but his career is beginning to wind down.

He’s been rumored to be considering retirement and that might not be a bad idea.

Sung has been a World Cup captain, and he deserves to call it quits when he is ready.

That probably shouldn’t be a ways away though.

Should Retire: After this season

David James

AGE: 41

James was, in his prime, one of the most premiere goalies in the world. Unfortunately for James he is not even close to being an elite goalie anymore. At 41, James is definitely in retirement age and he can’t be planning on playing much longer.

Should Retire: NOW

Fernando Torres

AGE: 27

Torres spent his best years with Liverpool, now the soccer great plays for soccer giant Chelsea.

The main reason he is on here is because I don’t want to see his career drop dramatically as he ages.

Torres really isn’t that old, so I’ll give more time than the others.

Should Retire: Within three years

Ledley King

AGE: 30

Ledley King plays centre-back for Tottenham Hotspur where he’s played since 1998.

King has had a long and solid career, but… I don’t really see King having many more great years ahead.

He’s at the twilight of his career, and it’s time to call it quits.

Should Retire: After this season

Owen Hargreaves

AGE: 30

Hargreaves looked like the next big thing in soccer. Unfortunately for him and soccer fans around the world, his career was shut down by injuries.

Hargreaves played with Bayern Munich from 2000-2007, and Manchester United from 2007- July of 2011.

Hargreaves career is probably over. Check that, his career should be over.

Should Retire: A.S.A.P.

David Beckham

AGE: 36

I’d say Beckham is one of the top-5 soccer players in modern play.

Beckham played the majority of his career for Manchester United where he gained worldwide fame and recognition.

Beckham quickly became the most famous soccer player in the world.

In 2007, in an attempt to bring soccer popularity to America, the LA Galaxy signed Beckham to a 5-year $250 million contract.

Yeah… probably not the best idea.

I think I speak for most American soccer fans when I politely so, “GO AWAY ALREADY”.

Should Retire: Before the Galaxy decided to give him $250 million