Joel Matip’s Shocking Reason for Early Retirement Finally Revealed” Former Liverpool defender Joel Matip, who left the club this summer, has officially announced his retirement from professional football.
Matip made 201 appearances during his eight-year stint at Anfield under former manager Jürgen Klopp, who also departed the club in the same season.
The 33-year-old scored 11 goals and provided 6 assists after joining Liverpool in 2016 from FC Schalke, where he had spent seven years.
He made his Liverpool debut on August 23, 2016, in a 5-0 win against Burton Albion in the EFL Cup, quickly establishing himself as a key defender under Klopp.
Matip’s exit from Liverpool came after a serious injury during a 4-3 victory over Fulham at Anfield, where he ruptured his ACL and required surgery.
Despite efforts to return, Matip has chosen to retire, stating that he can no longer maintain his top-level form following the injury.
Throughout his time with Liverpool, Matip won seven major trophies, including the UEFA Champions League in 2019 and the club’s first Premier League title in 2020 with a record-breaking 99 points.
He also lifted the UEFA Super Cup in 2019/20, two domestic cups in 2022 and 2024, and the FA Cup in 2022.
Matip’s decision to retire has saddened Liverpool fans worldwide, as he was a fan favorite and part of a formidable center-back partnership with Virgil van Dijk.
While there were rumors of potential moves to other European clubs, Matip has concluded that retiring is the best decision for him after his injury setbacks.
