Former Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 35.
The 35-year-old, who formed part of the France team that won the 2018 edition of the World Cup, had been omitted from Inter Miami’s squad during the 2022-23 season.
The French international lifted the Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain and Serie A with Juventus after spending a stint at Saint-Etienne and Toulouse.
Matuidi made 84 international appearances across all competitions, scoring nine times before his final Les Bleus game in 2019.
“I’ve decided to end my career as a professional footballer,” he said in a video on YouTube.
“I had the chance to play for the biggest European clubs, wear the France shirt, give my family a buzz, live my passion and they are images that will stay with me,” he added.
Matuidi now becomes he first member of France’s 2018 World Cup winning squad to retire.
“My head, my heart, tell me to stop and to think about those close to me, my wife, my children, and this life I built,” he said.
“I think I’ve come to the end of what I’m able to bring to the table.”