Top five football legends who may retire in summer 2023

Some of these stars have already bid farewell to the beautiful game

Footballers were often thought to be entering the last phase of their careers after they turned 30 years old. The past few years have seen a significant increase in their longevity. Many football players compete at a very high level these days, even as they approach their late 30s.

The majority of players retire from international football a little earlier than they do from local football. That makes perfect sense considering how challenging it is to maintain both stages' demands once you've passed your prime.

And now these football players have reached a certain age where they can feel they have achieved everything in this sport, let's take a look below at the top five football legends who can call quits on the sport and who may retire in summer 2023:

5. Joaquin Sanchez (Real Betis)

On July 21, Joaquin Sanchez aged 41. Additionally, he extended his contract by one year earlier this summer, keeping him with the La Liga team through the summer of 2019. If Joaquin opts to hang up his shoes after the campaign ends, we won't be shocked.

Over the span of 19 seasons and 600 LaLiga games, he has played, netting 78 goals and setting up 66 more. Joaquin clinched two Copa del Reys with Betis and one with Valencia. He was voted the "La Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year" in 2002.

4. Giorgio Chiellini (Los Angeles FC)

One of his generation's top defenders is Giorgio Chiellini. Chiellini has joined Major League Soccer team Los Angeles FC after a spectacular 18-year career at Juventus, during which he set a record nine straight Serie A titles.

The seasoned centre-back was essential to Italy's successful campaign at Euro 2020 the previous year. In his club career, he has won three Serie A Defender of the Year awards. He is an established centre-back who is renowned for his tenacity, aggression, and man-containment skills.

3. Pepe (Porto)

One of his generation's top centre-backs is Pepe. He is still a consistent starter for FC Porto's starting XI at the age of 39. At the conclusion of the 2022–23 season, the Portugal international is most likely to retire from football as a professional.

In the summer of 2023, Pepe's present agreement with FC Porto will expire, and he is expected to call it quits on his domestic career at that point.

2. Andrés Iniesta (Visal Kobe)

Andres Iniesta, who had an outstanding playing career at Barcelona, joined the Japanese team Vissel Kobe in 2018. Andres Iniesta established himself as one of the greatest footballers of his generation during his competitive playing career. The midfielder extended his deal with Vissel Kobe through 2023 in May 2021. It might be his final playing agreement in history.

1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AC Milan)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has represented some of Europe's top clubs. At Ajax, he first attained notoriety. Following then, he has represented Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, AC Milan, Juventus, and Inter Milan. Ibrahimovic joined AC Milan once more during the January 2020 transfer period. In 23 Serie A games last season, he struck eight goals and contributed three assists as the Rossoneri won the Scudetto.

Ibrahimovic, who will turn 41 in October, announced his retirement from the sport in front of a raucous Milan crowd.