Former France and Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 35.
Matuidi is technically still contracted to MLS outfit Inter Miami until the end of the calendar year, but he was left off of their roster for the 2022 season and has not played since.
The French World Cup winner arrived in the United States from Juventus in 2020, having enjoyed years of sustained success during his time at Paris Saint-Germain and with the Bianconeri.
Having been without competitive football since the 2021 MLS season, Matuidi has now called time on his playing career, posting on social media: "Football, I loved you so much.
"Football, you gave me so much, but the time has come to say stop. I accomplished my dreams as a child, my dreams as a man. It is with a tight throat but with pride that I turn this page today. THANK YOU ❤️"
The 35-year-old uploaded an accompanying YouTube video after announcing his decision to retire, saying: "I have decided to put an end to my career as a professional footballer.
Football, je t'ai tant aimé. Football, tu m'as tant donné, mais le moment est venu de dire stop. J'ai accompli mes rêves d'enfant, mes rêves d'homme. C'est la gorge serrée mais avec fierté que je tourne aujourd'hui cette page.
— Blaise Matuidi (@MATUIDIBlaise) December 23, 2022
MERCI ❤️
👉🏾 https://t.co/j9S9b7QaiD pic.twitter.com/rkDwnxX9Tj
"I have lived extraordinary months but I think it's time to draw the curtain. I keep a lot of memories and it will stay in my heart. I didn't think I would have a sports career that I was able to do."
A product of the Creteil-Lusitanos youth academy, Matuidi made his professional breakthrough with Troyes between 2004 and 2007 before earning a transfer to Saint-Etienne.
The midfielder continued his rise with three goals and six assists in 154 games for Les Verts, attracting the attention of Paris Saint-Germain, who signed him for €8m (£7m) in 2011.
Matuidi spent a trophy-laden six years at the Parc des Princes and won a total of 17 major trophies during his time with the capital club, including five Ligue 1 titles and three Coupe de France crowns.
Matuidi recorded 33 goals and 28 assists in 295 games for PSG before joining Juventus in 2017, winning three successive Serie A titles and making 133 appearances for the Old Lady.
Following his move to Inter Miami in 2020, the ex-France international was a consistent starter for Phil Neville's side, registering two goals and an assist in 48 games and wearing the captain's armband on four occasions.
The pinnacle of Matuidi's career came in 2018, as he played five games for France in their triumphant World Cup campaign, and he ended his international stint in 2019 with nine goals and 10 assists from 84 caps, as well as being named France's Player of the Year in 2015.
Ben Knapton
