How did you feel after the departure of stars like Toni Kroos, Andrés Iniesta, and Raphaël Varane in 2024? You had also probably thought that would be the year with the most emotional goodbyes.

Unfortunately, 2025 came with its bends. We are now experiencing even more big names hanging up their boots. All these players have, in one way or the other, left their mark in the world of football.

If you’ve been wondering who else has decided to walk away from the game this year, this guide will show you a few of them. You can expect to see the likes of:

• Simon Kjær
• Marcelo
• Adam Lallana
• Pepe Reina
• Felipe Melo

Top Football Legends Who Have Retired in 2025

It’s been quite a year for goodbyes in football. As the year unfolds, more popular names in the game are already calling time on their careers. While some are doing it quietly, others are walking away with emotional tributes from fans and their teammates.

The good news for fans is that, as these legends are walking away to earn a deserved rest, a new crop of super talented players are also arriving on the football scene everywhere you look. Think Lamine Yamal, Estevao Willian, Rio Ngumoha, and more! 

However, for fans who like to bet on the results of the teams of these legends, you must understand there are a few changes to keep an eye on now. To make smarter bets, you should follow top tipsters like Kate Richardson. You can also seek out trusted betting resources, review sites, or follow a trusted football prediction site to help you make the most of your wagers.

Meanwhile, here are the names we’ve had to say farewell to so far in 2025.

1. Marcelo

Yes, Marcelo tops the list because almost everyone loves this amazing player. Unfortunately, Marcelo officially retired on 6 February 2025, at the age of 36. Many fans were really surprised to hear the news.

Known for a truly remarkable career, Marcelo spent 16 unforgettable years at Real Madrid, where he won 25 trophies, including six La Liga titles and five Champions League titles. For Brazil, his country, he made 58 appearances, including in two World Cups, and was part of the squad that won the 2013 Confederations Cup.

After saying goodbye to Madrid in 2022, Marcelo had a short time playing for Olympiacos before he finally returned home to Fluminense. That’s where he started his amazing career and, interestingly, he ended it all there, after lifting the Copa Libertadores with the club in 2023.

Marcelo was indeed an amazing player loved for many things. We will all remember him for those exciting runs and the joy he brought to the game. Former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo summed it up beautifully in a heartfelt tribute:

“My brother, what an incredible career! More than a teammate, a companion for life. Thanks for everything, my friend. I wish you all the best in this new phase of life.”

If you are a true football fan, you will definitely remember the name, Marcelo even in years to come. He was undoubtedly one of the best left-backs that have ever graced the game.

2. Simon Kjær

Simon Kjær is another player that made the list of legends we will have to get used to their absence on the pitch. With his calm, steady, and great leadership spirit, Kjær finally retired from the game on 13 January 2025 at the age of 35.

He had a good run with clubs like AC Milan, Sevilla, and Fenerbahçe, and also played 132 times for Denmark.

One of his most remarkable moments is during Euro 2020, when his teammate Christian Eriksen collapsed during a match. He did a good job helping to guide his teammates and medics to make sure the situation was handled in the best possible way. It was a true show of leadership and composure.

Simon Kjær was also a key figure in the squad that helped AC Milan win the Serie A title in the 2021–22 season.

3. Adam Lallana

Yes, we will also not be seeing Adam Lallana playing on the pitch again. He stepped away from the game at age 37 in June 2025. Adam Lallana is a creative midfielder once adored by fans at both Southampton and Liverpool.

He earned 34 England caps, returned to his boyhood club Southampton, and won both the Champions League and Premier League during his time at Liverpool. In a moving statement, Lallana reflected:

“I’m proud of the playing career I’ve had and have no regrets about any of it. I embrace all the highs and all the lows as they’ve shaped me into who I am.”

With nearly 570 senior appearances under his belt and immediate transition into a coaching role at Southampton, his farewell felt less like an end and more like the beginning of a new chapter.

4. Pepe Reina

It’s hard to imagine football without Pepe Reina, but in May 2025, the 42-year-old finally hung up his gloves. Reina played 954 club matches over 25 years. He began his career at Barcelona, then moved to Liverpool, where he had an amazing run. Reina also played and won trophies with Napoli, Bayern Munich, and many other prestigious clubs.

At Liverpool alone, he made 394 appearances, winning both the FA Cup and League Cup. He also nearly lifted the Champions League for the club in 2007. His final appearance, where he was sent off while playing for Como, ended with a standing ovation from both sets of fans. That shows how respected Reina was in the game.

5. Felipe Melo

Felipe Melo’s football journey was built on tenacity, passion, and no small amount of controversy. He announced his retirement in January 2025 at the age of 41, after making around 630 club appearances across Brazil and Europe.

Melo won more than 20 major titles, including Champions League and Serie A during stints at Juventus, trophies at Galatasaray, and back-to-back Copa Libertadores crowns with Palmeiras and Fluminense.

Renowned for his fearless style in midfield, he was once described by Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini as a “warrior”, praised for making aggression part of his game:

“Yes, I am a nasty player, and this is my strength. Aggression is part of my game…”

That fearlessness earned fans’ respect, and a reputation as one of the most uncompromising midfielders of his generation.

Final Notes

Really, it’s been quite a year for football lovers, as we all witnessed some of the game’s greats walk away for good. Their exits have brought plenty of emotion, and while the new season comes with fresh excitement, fans everywhere are hoping fewer players will hang their boots before the year ends.

The article was provided by Kate Richardson