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This new decade will bear witness to the passing of the baton from the old generation to a new one, as some of the modern greats are set to hang up their boots. While all sports fans would love to see Messi and Ronaldo weave their magic on the football pitch for as long as possible, it’s a matter of time before the duo and some of their elite compatriots wind down their careers.
Names such as Messi, Ronaldo, Buffon, Chiellini, and Zlatan, to name a few, resonate with football fans all over, especially for the 90s kids who’ve grown up watching and loving the game because of these modern greats. While some of these legends are nearing the end at a few of the biggest clubs in world football, some are quietly stepping away from the limelight.
Today, let’s take a look at:
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5 legendary footballers who are winding down their careers away from the spotlight
#5 Dani Alves | São Paulo FC
Dani Alves has been a modern great in world football, winning 41 titles in his illustrious career - including 3 Champions League titles, 6 La Liga’s, 5 Copa Del Rey trophies, 2 Ligue 1, and a Serie A title, among many others.
Operating as a fullback for a major chunk of his 18-year professional career, Alves has been involved in 224 goals (58 goals, 166 assists) from 807 appearances. The Brazilian has represented some of the biggest clubs in world football, including Barcelona, Juventus, and PSG, to name a few. However, Alves decided to step away from the spotlight and spend his last few days in football back home in Sao Paulo.
Alves is now heading into his third season at the club and plays a crucial role at the heart of Sao Paulo’s midfield. The 37-year old has made 78 appearances at the club, scoring 8 goals and notching up 11 assists. The Brazilian will be remembered as one of the earliest proponents of the attacking fullback role.
#4 Carlos Tevez | Boca Juniors
The Argentine was one of the most lethal strikers for over a decade - a time during which he represented both sides of Manchester. He became a controversial figure among Manchester United fans when he left Old Trafford to make the cross-town journey to the Etihad. Whatever opinion one might have of that move, Tevez has acquired the status of a modern great.
Tevez formed a deadly trio with Ronaldo and Rooney in front of goal, and played a huge role in United’s dominance of the late 2000’s era. Making 99 appearances for the club, Tevez was involved in 48 goals, winning 7 titles in his two years. This included a Champions League title and two Premier League trophies. He added another PL winners medal during his time at Manchester City.
Tevez’s last outing in one of Europe’s top leagues was at the Serie A, with Juventus, in the 2014-15 season. He left for Boca Juniors in the second half of that season, and has since traveled east to Shanghai Shenhua, before moving back once again to where it all began - La Bombonera. The Argentine has 48 goals and 22 assists across the last 5 years at Boca Juniors.
#3 Franck Ribery | ACF Fiorentina
Taking the thrid spot on this list is Bayern Munich legend and a serial winner - Franck Ribery. The Frenchman parted ways with the German Champions in 2019, after an illustrious 12-year career at Allianz Arena.
Along with Robben, the wingers formed a deadly duo, earning the nickname “Robbery” for their immense contribution to 20 titles during their stay at the club. This consists of 8 Bundesliga titles, 6 German Cup’s, and a Champions League, including a European treble in the 2012/13 season. In 425 appearances for the club, Ribery has been involved in a mammoth tally of 306 goals (124 goals, 182 assists). The Frenchman and Robben came to German shores around the same time, and both departed in the 2020 summer transfer window.
Ribery made the trip to Italy, where he joined Fiorentina, and is now in his second year at the club. The Frenchman has put on some admirable performances for the Italian outfit, making 44 appearances for Fiorentina. In the 2020/21 Serie A season, the 38-year old has 2 goals and 6 assists in 22 matches. Although Ribery insists he has only two years left after leaving Bayern, the former UEFA Best Player in Europe may be primed for another season in top-flight football.
#2 Arjen Robben | FC Groningen
Next up, we have the other half of “Robbery” - Arjen Robben, who joined Bayern Munich two years after the Frenchman, and together dominated German and European football in the coming years.
Aptly, the duo exited the club within a month of one another, and the 37-year old Robben joined home club FC Groningen after spending a year away from football. Donning the famous #10 jersey, Robben operates in his favored right-wing position for Groningen, who are currently at 6th place in the 2020/21 Eredivisie table. This might be the 37-year old’s last season or the penultimate season in professional football as he has played just 56 minutes from 3 appearances for the Dutch outfit.
Robben was one of the most feared forwards in world football during his time at Bayern Munich, and was vital in Bayern’s treble - one of the few clubs to achieve a domestic league trophy, League Cup, and Champions League in the same footballing year. The World Cup finalist notched up 144 goals and 101 assists in 309 appearances for the German champions.
#1 Andres Iniesta | Vissel Kobe
Andres Iniesta played a monumental role in Barcelona’s dominance of club football for over a decade, especially during Pep’s tenure at the club, combining with the likes of Xavi and Messi.
Bayern Munich and Barcelona were the only two clubs to have a European treble in the last decade, and are also the only two clubs to have achieved the treble in two different seasons. While the “Robbery” duo helped Bayern lift the 2012/13 European treble, Iniesta was a crucial ingredient in both of Blaugrana’s trebles - 2008/09 and the 2014/15 season. Graduating from the famed La Masia academy, Iniesta made his Barcelona debut in the 2002/03 season, and that would be the beginning of a 16-year association with the club.
In the summer of 2018, he left Camp Nou on a free transfer to the Japanese league side, Vissel Kobe. The midfield maestro has been involved in 34 goals for his new club from 74 appearances, displaying his tremendous abilities, even at the ripe age of 36.
