Legends Who Ended Their Careers in 2023
Every year brings football fans new discoveries in the form of young talents and heartbreaking farewells to beloved players. In 2023, several footballers who truly deserve the title of “legend” concluded their careers. In this piece, we will discuss the trio of performers whose departures will be deeply felt.
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Zlatan Ibrahimović
Last Club: AC Milan
Age at the End of His Career: 41
In the final years of his career, Zlatan Ibrahimović battled injuries and various setbacks. At some point, the end of his illustrious career became inevitable. In 2023, he spent only 161 minutes in Serie A and with the national team. In his last match against Udinese, Zlatan scored a penalty, bidding farewell to football at the San Siro stadium amidst loud applause and tears.
Verona fans attempted to disrupt this touching moment with boos, but Ibrahimović responded with resilience, stating, “Keep going. This is the best moment for you this season – you saw me.” His farewell message on social media underscored his deep attachment to every club he played for.
Throughout his career, Zlatan Ibrahimović won 32 trophies, scored nearly 600 goals, and left an indelible mark on the history of football. Perhaps a new chapter in his life will begin as a senior advisor to the owners and top management of AC Milan. The greatest injustice is that, as a player, Zlatan never managed to win the UEFA Champions League.
Gianluigi Buffo
Last Club: Parma
Age at the End of His Career: 45
The conclusion of Gianluigi Buffon’s career evokes sincere emotions in any football enthusiast. His career seemed to last forever, starting in 1997 when he first made an impression with a 1-1 draw in snowy Moscow. This was followed by UEFA Cup victories with Parma, a record-breaking €53 million transfer to Juventus, and hundreds of matches for the Turin giants.
The final chapter of his career was his return to Parma in 2021, where he became the head of the national team delegation. His actions show that even after a long and successful career, Buffon remains devoted to his passion for football and the Italian national team.
Mesut Özil
Last Club: Istanbul
Age at the End of His Career: 34
Mesut Özil is a player with polarizing opinions. He is considered one of the best assist providers of his generation, but criticism has been directed at him for “disappearing” in crucial matches. These characteristics were relevant until 2017, after which he faced difficulties.
His career at Real Madrid, the German national team, and the first half of his time at Arsenal was impressive. However, after leaving Arsenal in 2020, his performances at Fenerbahçe and Istanbul did not meet expectations. Despite this, his assists and numerous titles, including the 2014 World Cup gold, will remain in football history.
