The 2023 football year ends with the farewell of several legends who marked a new and an after in the history of this sport. Figures such as Buffon, Ibrahimovic, Bale, Cesc Fàbregas, Silva, Özil, Joaquín, Filipe Luis, Godín, Hazard and Chiellini, among others, have decided to hang up their boots in 2023.
1
GIANLUIGI BUFFON (1995-2023)
The best goalkeeper of the 21st century?
Gianluigi Buffon hangs up his boots at the age of 45 after an unforgettable career. World champion in Italy in 2006, he is considered one of the best goalkeepers of all time. To his credit, he has never won the Champions League despite playing in the finals in 2003, 2015 and 2018.
2
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC (1999-2023)
Farewell to an unforgettable character
Undoubtedly one of the best forwards of his generation, Ibrahimovic will go down in history as one of the most unclassifiable players due to his attitude, charisma and individual quality. Globetrotter like no other, he went through the ranks of Malmo, Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Milan, PSG, Manchester United, Los Angeles Galaxy and, finally, Milan again.
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Ibrahimovic has won 12 national League titles throughout his career but the Champions League has always eluded him.
3
GARETH BALE (2005-2023)
A footballer of unforgettable moments
The Chilean from kyiv, the 2-1 in Lisbon, the race with Bartra in the 2014 Copa del Rey final… Gareth Bale left a trail of unforgettable moments whose memory is a little hazy of what may or may not have happened. .
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Squire of Benzema and Cristiano, he didn’t know or wanted to take the reins of Madrid when the Portuguese left and disappeared from the white club while making history with Wales, which he took to the World Cup in Qatar and the semi-finals of the Euro Cup in 2016.
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He left through the back door in 2022. We already know: “Wales, Golf, Madrid. In that order.
4
Cesc Fabregas (2003-2023)
A precocious genius who disappeared
His appearance at Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal was one that will never be forgotten. At 17 years old he was the master of the midfield in a team that had Vieira, Henry, Hleb, Pires, Reyes and was considered one of the most complete midfielders in the world. Emerging from Barcelona’s youth team, he was a key player in the Euro Cup and the World Cup won by Spain.
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After his return to Barça, his career fell because he did not know how to adapt to Guardiola’s team. He then went to Chelsea (where he had good years), Monaco and ended his career in Como in 1907.
5
MESUT ÖZIL (2005-2023)
The genius that won Mourinho
Mesut Özil will go down in history as one of the greatest players of his generation. After being a key player in the 2010 Germany team that reached the semi-finals in South Africa, he signed for Madrid, which beat Barcelona.
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At Chamartín he landed on his feet and his left foot endeared him to the Madrid fans. Off the field of play, he achieved his best performance under Mourinho in his three seasons at Madrid. His departure in 2013 to an Arsenal under construction, where he spent eight years, was the beginning of his decline.
6
DAVID SILVA (2003-2023)
A bitter end for a cult footballer
The great cover of the generation of Xavi, Iniesta, Alonso and company. His Euro 2008 propelled him to stardom and he is considered one of the best players in the history of Manchester City and Valencia. He cut his teeth at Eibar and Celta de Vigo and gave great performances in his final years at Real Sociedad.
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In his best moment in Donosti, last preseason, a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee forced him to hang up his boots.
7
JOAQUIN (2000-2023)
Villamarín’s eternal smile
“The feint and the sprint… Joaquín!”, shouted the Benito Villamarín speaker to introduce Portuense, a footballer with spirit who also dazzled in Valencia, Málaga and Fiorentina before returning home in 2015. He is the player with the most games. played in the history of Betis and also in the League tied with Andoni Zubizarreta (622).
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He was international with Spain on 51 occasions but was not involved in Spain’s great victories. His farewell is one of the most emotionally remembered in Spanish football.
8
EDEN HAZARD (2007-2023)
The starry star
A few days after reaching an agreement with Madrid to terminate his contract, Eden Hazard announced his retirement at the age of 32. A premature farewell for one of the best players of the last decade in the Premier League who, however, experienced a trial with injuries since his arrival in Madrid in 2019.
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There is no trace of a quick, imaginative, unbalanced, goalscoring, leader and charismatic player in Madrid. A kick from his compatriot Meunier broke his ankle and he has never been the same since. Vinicius’ stellar appearance ended up getting him sent off.
9
CHIELLINI (2000-2023)
An old school center
The veteran Chiellini hung up his boots a few weeks ago after his last experience with Los Angeles FC in MLS. Previously, he was a legend for Juventus in Turin, where he played for 18 years and won everything but the Champions League. He formed an unforgettable trio with Buffon and Bonucci and captained Italy to the 2021 Euro Cup.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
