A member of Belgian football’s golden generation has hung up his boots

Belgian Marouane Fellaini announced this Saturday that he will retire from football at the age of 36, leaving behind a career marked by his time in the English Premier League, as a player for Everton and Manchester United, and where he played 87 games for in his country’s national team. ..

“What an incredible adventure! “I am very grateful to have played the sport I love at the highest level,” wrote Fellaini in a publication posted on his Instagram account, accompanied by a video with pictures of some of his goals.

No team since November

The former Belgian footballer, of Moroccan descent, played more than 17 seasons throughout his career, but became without a team since November last year, when his contract with Chinese club Shandong Taishan expired, where he has been active since 2019.

Before going to China, He played ten seasons in the English Premier League between 2008 and 2019. He played five full seasons at Everton and then five and a half at Manchester United.

Four titles at Manchester United

In the Old Trafford team, Fellaini won the Europa League (2017), English Cup (2016), League Cup (2017) and English Super Cup (2016).

In his team he was part of one of the best generations of players in the history of Belgian football and He went on to compete in two World Cups (2014 and 2018) and one European Championship (2016), being a starter on most occasions, in addition to participating in some Olympic Games, in Beijing 2008.

Third at the 2018 World Cup

At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Fellaini and the ‘red devils’ finished in third place, which was the best result achieved by Belgium in all its participation in the tournament.

In 87 games played with the national team, He is, to date, the sixth player with the most caps for Belgium, with 18 goals scored.

In total, throughout his career he played, between clubs and national teams, 580 games, scoring 118 goals and providing 59 assists.

Unmistakable with his afro hair

Fellaini, iconic for his afro hair and distinguished on the field for his 1.94 meter height, he played as a midfielder, a position where He stands out for his powerful headers and for its versatile character, capable of offering great performance both in attack and defense.

In Belgium, He made his professional football debut in 2006 at Standard de Liege, where he achieved a league title in the 2007-2008 season.

“I remember my first game as a child, the endless training sessions with my father, my first game at Standard and my first call-up to the Red Devils… Time flies! Fellaini wrote in his farewell message.

Thank you for everything

The former footballer thanked the fans of all the teams he played for for their support and also highlighted the role played by his family, locker room mates and coaches.

“As I begin a new chapter in my life, I expect to face new challenges, but rest assured “I will continue to support this beautiful sport in every possible way,” Fellaini assured at the end of his publication.

Invest in the club where you were formed

Since last July, Fellaini He is an investor in Francs Borainsa club in the Belgian second division where he played during his formative years as a youngster, between 2000 and 2002, according to the Belga news agency.