Joel Matip, di former defender wey play for Liverpool, don announce say he dey retire from professional football at di age of 33. Dis news come from German publication, Ruhr Nachrichten, which report say Matip decide to end his career just few months after he leave Anfield where he spend eight years.
Matip’s time at Liverpool end on a sad note because of serious injury he suffer late in 2023. He rupture his cruciate ligament in December 2023, which make him miss di entire second half of di season under Jurgen Klopp. Despite di injury, Matip achieve many things with Liverpool, including winning di Premier League, Champions League, Super Cup, Club World Cup, FA Cup, Community Shield, and two EFL Cups.
Before he join Liverpool in 2016, Matip start his career with Schalke 04 in Germany, where he win di DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup in 2011. He also represent Cameroon at international level, playing in di 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and di FIFA World Cups of 2010 and 2014.
Matip decide to retire without any fanfare, true to his nature of avoiding di spotlight. He turn down offers from several clubs, including Italian clubs like Juventus and Roma, and his former club Schalke. Instead, he choose to focus on coaching, starting with his role as an assistant coach for his son’s Under-13 team at SSV Buer in Gelsenkirchen.
Liverpool fans and di football community dey remember Matip as one of di finest defenders in di club’s history, despite his career ending due to injuries. His contributions to di team and his calm, professional demeanor on and off di pitch will be deeply missed..
