Soccer is a little bit different from other sports in terms of the age range of players on the field. In soccer, a typical player can have a career lasting 15 to 20 years playing at both club and national level. There are many factors that play a role in a player’s career to be long lasting like Physical Fitness, Training and Recovery, Club and Management Support, Personal Discipline, Mental Toughness, and Adaptability etc.
Physical fitness is considered as one of the major factors in a player’s life. That’s why Every player’s first priority is to be physically fit. They have to be physically fit in order to make it into the team. They play in proper shape but for a short span of time and play football beautifully. Fitness is one of the reasons some players, like David Beckham, retire early.
What are your thoughts on how players manage this challenge, and do you believe early retirement is ultimately beneficial or detrimental? On the other hand, Some players devote their entire lives to soccer, playing for many years. However, there comes a point when they need to retire from the sport due to their age.
As you know, Euro 2024 is starting in less than two weeks and everyone is looking to get all the details of the players to judge their performance in this major tournament. Some players retiring after this tournament will be closely judged. According to my information, there are some big names that you can expect to announce their retirement soon.
In this article, I’ll discuss with you the top players who are expected to retire after Euro 2024.
Cristiano Ronaldo
 – Age: 39 during Euro 2024
 – Notable Achievements: 5 Ballon d’Ors, leading goal scorer for Portugal
 – Key Clubs: Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus
Cristiano Ronaldo is still playing for his national team at the age of 39. The question on everyone’s mind is when he will retire from football. He is physically fit to play in every position he wants. He is a top scorer at both the national and club levels. He set a world record for most appearances for the national team. Whether he retires sooner or later, he already has many titles that make him one of the world’s best.
According to Portugal’s national team manager, “Cristiano will conclude his career the day he realizes his body cannot offer him what he desires on the field. Presently, his hunger to conquer all trophies endures.”
Luka Modrić Â
– Age: 38 during Euro 2024 Â
– Notable Achievements: 1 Ballon d’Or, multiple Champions League titles with Real Madrid Â
– Key Clubs: Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur
Luka Modric is one of the best midfielders in the world. He is a very skilled and dedicated player for both Real Madrid and the Croatian national team. He is known for his control and vision on the pitch. He appeared in more than 164 games for the national team and scored 23 goals. UEFA Euro 2024 may be his last major tournament. He might retire at the age of 39.
Manuel Neuer
 – Age: 38 during Euro 2024
 – Notable Achievements: World Cup winner, multiple Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich
 – Key Clubs: Bayern Munich, Schalke 04
The German international is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He helped Germany win the World Cup in 2014. One of his best plays was his performance in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he played a crucial role in helping Germany win the tournament with his outstanding saves and leadership on the field. He is known for his confidence and control in the field. Additionally, his sweeper-keeper style, where he frequently ventures out of his penalty area to clear the ball or intercept opposition attacks, has revolutionized the goalkeeper position in modern football.
Olivier Giroud
 – Age: 37 during Euro 2024
 – Notable Achievements: World Cup winner, top scorer for the French national team
 – Key Clubs: Chelsea, Arsenal, AC Milan
The French international has announced his retirement from the national team after Euro 2024. He made 131 appearances and scored 57 times for the national team. He is known for his heading quality in the opposition box. “I’ve always said that I was going to stop when my body asked me to. I think I’ve got two good years left. But as far as the French team is concerned, I think that’ll be the end of it,” he added.
Pepe Â
– Age: 41 during Euro 2024 Â
– Notable Achievements: European Championship winner, multiple Champions League titles with Real Madrid Â
– Key Clubs: Real Madrid, Porto
Pepe is one of the greatest defenders in world football. He is known for his defensive ability on the pitch. He won Euro 2016 with the national team and has played for the world-class club Real Madrid. Despite being 41 years old, he is still playing his best football at that age. He might retire from the national team after this major tournament.
Thomas Muller
– Age: 34 during Euro 2024
– Notable Achievements: FIFA World Cup winner, FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winner, UEFA Champions League winner with Bayern Munich
– Key Clubs: Bayern Munich
Thomas Muller is one of the best German players who played brilliantly on the field. He is known for his versatility, quick thinking, and clinical finishing. He is a key player for Germany in every major tournament. He mostly played his club football for German club Bayern Munich. Muller considered retiring after the 2022 World Cup, but Euro 2024 could end up being his final chance.
Toni Kroos
– Age: 34
– Notable Achievements: FIFA World Cup winner, 5-times UEFA Champions League winner, 3-time La Liga winner
– Key Clubs: Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen (loan), Real Madrid
Toni Kroos is one of the best midfielders the world has seen. He is a stylish and versatile player who spent most of his club career at Real Madrid. Since joining the club in 2014, Kroos has made 463 appearances and will leave as one of the most decorated players in Real Madrid’s 120-year history, having won over 20 trophies. Germany’s Toni Kroos, 34, announced on Tuesday that he will retire after this year’s European Championship.
“My career as an active footballer will end this summer after the European Championship. As I have always said, Real Madrid is and will be my last club,” Kroos stated on Instagram.
