5 world-class football players who retired early

We have already seen the likes of Drogba, Lucio, and Florent Malouda, who are still playing even in their 40s, but it is not just the physical fitness that drives them to play their game well, it is the passion that they carry for the sport, something that keeps the flame alive, and keeps them going even when the sport is evolving to a more fashionable manner.

Some of these legends from the late 90s and the early 2000s are still going on as they do not show any signs of retirement, but there are some who retired way before their breakthrough career even started. With multiple accolades and a hunger for more, some of these menaces gave up way too early, so early that we as football fans didn't even imagine their retirement at that particular point.

Be it injuries that forced them to hang their boots once and for all, or be it the fact that the controversies surrounding them were far too great to allow their play time to be peaceful enough, we certainly do not know.

But there is definitely one question that their fans have always asked them, 'Why so early? Isn't he too young to retire?' The answer, for some, is completely known, as it was obvious enough, but in some cases, we never found out as to what the real reason was. Some legends like Jamie Carragher and Marco Van Basten, who displayed an unbelievable amount of world-class talent left the pitch early and the fans wondering.

The reasons may just be reasons, or simply speculations, but our 5 picks for some of the most famous football players, who gave up way too early is a reflection of what really must've gone wrong.

#5 Didier Deschamps - 32 years

The former French captain retired at 32

Often considered by many as one of the greatest French defensive-midfielders of all time, Deschamps led his team to the 1998 FIFA world cup trophy, doing something that was extremely unbelievable from the French side, and is one of the only players to win the world cup as a player and as a coach. His expertise in the holding position has inspired some of the modern midfielders, such as N'Golo Kante, Claude Makelele and Lassana Diarra to be the power-packed midfielders. Known mainly for his time at Juventus, Deschamps also played for clubs like Chelsea, Marseille, and the Spanish side Valencia.

However, Deschamps did something completely unpredictable when he announced his retirement in 2001 at the age of 32. For some, the reason was due to injuries, and for many speculators, it was the mere fact that he had already made up his mind.

#4 Jamie Carragher - 29 years

Carragher's International retirement was questioned by many

Carragher spent over 17 years playing for Liverpool and is labeled to be one of the 'one club men' in football, with over 750 appearances for Liverpool. A feared defender, Jamie Carragher won the UEFA Champions League back in 2005, doing something fans refer to as the 'Istanbul Miracle', where Liverpool defeated AC Milan in an unexpected manner.

However, his International career wasn't something to brag about, as with only a few caps for his team, Carragher announced his retirement from International football at the age of 29 back in 2007. He did, however, come out of his retirement temporarily, and won his 38th cap for England.

#3 Marco van Basten - 31 years

van Basten retired due to an ankle injury

Yet another tragically impaled footballer, van Basten was one of the most fierce strikers of his generation as his tenure with both Ajax and AC Milan earned him more than 300 goals in his career. The 3 time Ballon d'Or winner was known for his aerial abilities, his ability to score from any position and the fact that his leadership qualities were quite unparalleled.

However, van Basten was struck with a career-threatening ankle injury at the age of 28, something he ignored for a while. But by the time he was 31, the injury grew into a tragedy, and the Dutch legend was forced to retire.

#2 Eric Cantona - 30 years

Cantona's retirement at 30 was a shocker for many

Though most of his club career was filled with spats, suspensions and bans, his style of play has inspired many to play football at a higher level. The work rate that this Frenchmen had was something that no one can match. His disciplinary issues aside, the passion that Cantona showed for the game was yet something that made the sport even more beautiful.

But it was due to his passion, rather the lack of it, which forced him to retire from the game. For many, it was simply that the number of controversies that he had played an important role in his decision, but for Cantona, it was simply his lack of interest that he had developed, and thus, in 1997, he retired at the age of 30.

#1 Zinedine Zidane - 34 years

After 'this' incident, Zidane retired

We all know what happened at the 2006 World Cup final, but that one match aside, this particular Frenchman has had a splendid career. Be it in terms of the spectacular goal scored in the 2002 Champions League finals, or in the 1998 world cup where he outsmarted each and every footballer there was, Zidane has left behind a career that not all of us will forget.

In addition, his tenure with Real Madrid as their manager has made him one of the top-class gaffers in the sport, as with 3 Champions League titles in a row, he justifies his credibility.

As mentioned earlier, the 2006 FIFA World Cup completely changed his life, as he announced his retirement at the age of 34, even though he had the capability of playing for alot longer.