Liverpool defender, Joel Matip, don announce say him dey plan to retire from professional football. Dis news come out on Friday, October 11, 2024, through Fabrizio Romano‘s X handle.
Matip, wey be 33 years old, leave Liverpool at the end of last season after eight successful years with the club. Him time at Anfield see am win Premier League and Champions League titles, but him last six months were affected by an ACL injury. Him last match for Liverpool be on December 3 last year.
Even though many people think say Matip go return to top-tier football once him fully fit, reports from German publication Ruhr Nachrichten say him quietly retire over the summer. Matip allegedly turn down offers from German clubs ahead of the 2024-25 season, telling scouts say him no longer dey play football again.
After leaving Liverpool, Matip move back to Gelsenkirchen, where him used to play for Schalke. Though Schalke, which dey struggle in the second tier of German football, still dey hope to sign their ex-star, no deal don agree yet.
In another development, amateur club SSV Buer announce on Instagram say Matip offer to coach one of their under-age teams. Him young son sign for the club, and Matip dey help with coaching sessions. SSV Buer write on Instagram say, “From the REDS to the ROTHOSEN: Joel Matip trains our SSV kindergarten!”
Matip make 201 appearances for Liverpool and after him summer exit, him say, “It has been eight wonderful years here in Liverpool…. “I was allowed to be part of an exciting history with a great coach and an astonishing team in an extraordinary club. We have achieved great titles and have the best fans in the world.”
