2023-06-08 17:13:06
Move from light to shade. It is difficult for the greatest players in the history of football to choose the final club of their career. Lately Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema or Cristiano Ronaldo have opted for more generous than prestigious clubs before hanging up their crampons.
Argentinian Lionel Messi has just signed an agreement with the Miami club. Frenchman Karim Benzema has signed up for Saudi Arabia, where he will join Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been playing in the kingdom since this year. The practice of a lucrative last contract is not new, even if all the big football stars have not succumbed to the temptation.
► Pelé in New York
The greatest football player of all time was caught up in debt at the end of his career. The Brazilian Pelé, three times world champion and honorary Golden Ball, had nevertheless announced his retirement from his favorite club, Santos FC (Brazil) in 1974. But the state of his finances forced him to return the jersey just a few months after its announcement.
On June 10, 1975, he signed a three-year contract for more than 4.7 million dollars with the New York Cosmos. Pelé fills the stadiums in a country where this sport remains quite confidential. He finally announced his final retirement in 1977, during a farewell match between Santos FC and New York Cosmos.
► Diego Maradona in Argentina
Diego Maradona, star of the 1980s and listed in the pantheon of football players, struggled to find a satisfactory conclusion to his career. After years of glory at SSC Napoli, the Argentinian player left Europe in 1993 following a positive cocaine test in Italy and a disappointing season at Sevilla.
Maradona, whose health has deteriorated following his heavy drug use, sees his level of play drop. He joined Newell’s Old Boys then Boca Juniors in Argentina for a few years, but never found glory there. He definitely left the field in 1997.
► Michel Platini faithful to “Juve”
With his 468 goals during his career and his three Golden Balls, the Frenchman Michel Platini has inspired generations of footballers, since his debut at AS Nancy Lorraine and his time at AS Saint-Étienne until the consecration at Juventus Turin.
Physically worn out, the mythical midfielder of the France team put an end to his playing career in the jersey of Juventus in 1987, at the age of 32.
► Ronaldo to Sao Paulo
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima won the Ballon d’Or twice, and was voted the best footballer of the years 1996, 1997 and 2002. The so-called The phenomenon is considered one of the best players in football history.
After impressive seasons at FC Barcelona, Inter Milan and then Real Madrid, the Brazilian centre-forward returned to his native country in 2009. Ronaldo was transferred to SC Corinthians, in São Paulo. He will play his last matches there. Following numerous injuries, and his drop in level, he announced his retirement in 2011.
► Jean-Pierre Papin from Milan to Guingamp
After years at Olympique de Marseille, a few seasons at AC Milan and a stint at Bayern Munich, French international Jean-Pierre Papin joined En Avant Guingamp to end his career there. But the tricolor striker, too often on the sidelines for his taste, will ultimately shorten his Breton experience before the end of his contract.
Three months after his arrival and ten games played, he abruptly announced his retirement after 14 years of career. “JPP” will continue to play for a few years as an amateur while caring for his daughter, Emily, who suffers from cerebral motor disorders.
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