Former Inter Miami midfielder Blaise Matuidi has announced his retirement from professional soccer.
The 35-year-old joined the Herons in June 2020, going on to register two goals and two assists in 47 MLS regular-season appearances. However, his move was surrounded by controversy as Inter Miami broke league rules to make the deal happen, while Matuidi last played for the club back in November 2021.
“Football, I loved you so much. Football, you gave me so much, but the time has come to say stop,” Matuidi wrote on social media. “I accomplished my dreams as a child, my dreams as a man. It is with pride that I turn this page today. Thank you.”
Football, je t’ai tant aimé. Football, tu m’as tant donné, mais le moment est venu de dire stop. J’ai accompli mes rêves d’enfant, mes rêves d’homme. C’est la gorge serrée mais avec fierté que je tourne aujourd’hui cette page.
MERCI ❤️
👉🏾 https://t.co/j9S9b7QaiD pic.twitter.com/rkDwnxX9Tj— Blaise Matuidi (@MATUIDIBlaise) December 23, 2022
Prior to arriving in MLS, Matuidi enjoyed a glittering career in European soccer, turning out for French sides Troyes and Saint-Etienne, before winning multiple league and cup titles with Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.
At international level, Matuidi was capped 84 times for France, scoring nine goals. The midfielder was pivotal to Les Bleus‘ 2018 World Cup triumph in Russia, playing five games and starting the 4-2 final win over Croatia.
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