Former Liverpool defender Joël Matip has announced his retirement from professional football. The Cameroonian international has decided to retire at the tender age of 33.
The decision came in after the defender failed to find a club in the summer. Matip’s contract with Liverpool expired at the end of last season as the defender left the club alongside Jürgen Klopp.
Matip wasn’t totally out of options though as clubs like West Ham United showed a keen interest in the veteran’s services. The defender’s struggles after his injury against Fulham were one of the main reasons for this decision.
Joël suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury against Fulham in December. An awkward turn of the knee resulted in a tear of the ACL as he was substituted in the 69th minute.
Later, scans concluded that the injury required surgical intervention which ruled him out for the remainder of the season. Having reached the end of his contract at Anfield, Matip thought it was natural to leave and find a new challenge elsewhere.
This was in line with The Reds’ transition under new manager Arne Slot. However, there was no direct connection between the Dutchman’s arrival and the Cameroonian’s departure from Anfield.
From Bochum to Liverpool
Joël Matip has enjoyed a cult hero-like image at Liverpool
Born and raised in Germany, Matip represented Cameroon at international level. He is the son of former Cameroonian professional footballer Jean Matip.
He also has an older brother and cousin who both represented Cameroon being born in Germany and France respectively. Matip’s career extensively spans in Germany where he spent more than two decades moving from the ranks of a youth footballer to a professional.
The 33-year-old started his professional career with Schalke after being scouted by the latter at the age of 11. More than one and a half decades later, Matip joined Liverpool on a free under fellow German Jürgen Klopp.
Having come to Anfield for free, Matip enjoyed a glamourous career at Anfield. He won every trophy possible under Klopp and also made a great partnership with fellow centre-back Virgil van Dijk.
The defender also made the CAF Team of the Year in 2019 following one of the best seasons of his career. He won every trophy possible with Liverpool except the FIFA Club World Cup.
Coming in as a free transfer and having such a huge impact on the squad, Matip has become a cult hero for Liverpool fans. The defender can be listed among the best African defenders of his generation.
A wonderful professional, a wonderful footballer and a wonderful human being – we have been blessed to have him with us for as long as we have.
-Jürgen Klopp
