The world of football is a constant cycle of rising stars and emotional goodbyes. In 2024, fans across the globe bid farewell to several international players who hung up their boots after years of thrilling us on the grandest stages. These athletes, having given their all to their national teams, leave behind legacies that will inspire generations. Let’s take a closer look at the players who made 2024 their swan song year in international football.

1. Luis Suarez – Uruguay

Luis Suarez is famous for using his hand to stop Ghana from scoring Uruguay in the dying minutes of the FIFA World cup 2010 Quarter final match between the two countries. He was red carded immediately after that act. He is also famous for racially abusing Patrice Evra when he was still playing for Liverpool – he served a lengthy suspension for that act. He is also famous for biting Giorgio Chiellini of Italy while playing for Uruguay during a FIFA World cup match in 2014 between the two countries. Apart from those acts, he is Uruguay all time top scorer and a two time European golden boot winner. He is also a multiple time La Liga winner at Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. He has also won the South American cup with Uruguay. He is a football legend and it was very fitting for him to retire last year. He is still playing at Inter Miami at the moment in the United States and he has 37 goals in 37 games as at the time of this writing.

2. Manuel Neuer – Germany

Manuel Neuer is a highly acclaimed German goalkeeper renowned for exceptional reflexes, leadership, and distribution, captaining both Bayern Munich and the German national team with distinction consistently. He entered the stage in the 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign and he won the same tournament with them in 2014. He hung up his boots last year too.

3. Angel di Maria – Argentina

Ángel Di María is a former Argentine winger known for exceptional skill, vision, and speed. He played for Manchester United in 2014-2015, joining from Real Madrid, but struggled to adapt, making just 27 appearances. He rediscovered form at Paris Saint-Germain, becoming a key player and winning multiple titles. He later went to Juventus, before going over to Benfica, the same team that brought him to the limelight. He retired in 2024 from international Football

4. Ilkay Gundogan – Germany

Ilkay Gundogan is also a world cup winner with Germany in 2014. He has also won the UEFA Champions League with Manchester City in 2023. He hung up his international boots last year but he is still playing for Manchester City football club, having rejoined them recently from Barcelona.

5. Antoine Griezmann – France

Antoine Griezmann is a world cup winner with France in 2018. He is also a legend at Atletico Madrid – let’s pretend he never played for Barcelona – and he currently plays there. He hung up his boots for France last year.

6. Oliver Giroud – France

Oliver Giroud is famous for not having any shot on target in the 2018 World Cup for France and he was always a starter. He broke the jinx in the 2022 World Cup when he scored 4 goals as France entered the World Cup final for the second successive tournament. He hung up his boots for France last year too.

7. Xherdan Shaqiri – Switzerland

The Swiss Footballer would have been a wonderful player at Liverpool but injury problems and inability to break into the first team properly made him to leave the team while Jurgen Klopp was still in charge. He retired in 2024 from intentional football.

8. Thomas Muller – Germany

He made his FIFA World cup debut in 2010 and played all through 4 World cup tournaments for Germany, winning one in 2014. He hung up his boots last year for Germany but still plays for Bayern Munich football club.

9 Kieran Trippier – England

The Left footed footballer who is also a free kick specialist retired from representing the Three Lions (The England National team) last year. He is still playing for Newcastle in the English Premier League.

10. Jesus Navas – Spain

Jesús Navas is a Spanish winger known for pace, skill, and delivery. He played for Sevilla and Manchester City, before returning to Sevilla. A 2010 World Cup winner with Spain, Navas was a key contributor off the bench, helping secure the nation’s first title. He retired from international Football and football altogether in 2024, immediately after helping Spain secure their 2024 European Championship.

Why Their Departures Matter

These players were more than just athletes; they were icons of resilience, creativity, and passion. Their retirements leave a gap in their respective national teams but also serve as reminders of the fleeting nature of sporting careers. Each of them has inspired millions, leaving legacies that will endure both on and off the pitch.

The Next Generation Awaits

As we say goodbye to these legends, we also look forward to the emergence of new stars eager to step into their shoes. Football’s beauty lies in its ability to continually reinvent itself, and 2025 marks the start of a new chapter for international football.