Former Liverpool defender Joel Matip has confirmed his retirement from football
The centre-back departed the Reds in the summer after an eight-year spell that included 201 appearances and multiple major honours with the club.
Signed on a free transfer from Schalke 04 in 2016, Matip was a key figure throughout Jürgen Klopp's reign as manager, helping to secure a return to Champions League football and starring in the run to glory in the competition in 2019 – including an assist for Divock Origi in the Madrid final against Tottenham Hotspur.
Matip featured as Liverpool went on to add the UEFA Super Cup, and was involved in nine Premier League games in 2019-20 as Klopp's team emphatically ended the club's 30-year wait to be crowned English champions again.
After a long-term injury curtailed his 2020-21 campaign, the ex-Cameroon international returned to stellar form as the Reds launched a quadruple bid the following season.
The No.32 clocked up 43 games – his most in a single campaign for the club – and appeared in both finals as the Carabao Cup and Emirates FA Cup were lifted at Wembley, while he and his teammates also finished runners-up in the top flight and Champions League.
PanAteLexis
115
Thank you for all the moments YNWA ❤️
Turtu
34
🚨🚨 Reports are coming from Italy that Simone Inzaghi is learning English so that he can reject Manchester United.
ImmsSPURS
19
Even though you retired, I promise you will never walk alone ,, we love you!
Anthonyloba
14
YNWA💥💯💕💕💯💯 You will always be remembered in the hearts of many Reds, and all the best in your next steps MAT.✅💥💯💕💕💯💗✅✅
jiaablmsty
12
Thank you for the Selfless Sacrifices you offered to the whole of Liverpool Football ⚽ Club and Merseyside Good Luck my HERO(Joel Matip)⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Denisliverpool❤️
8
you will always be one of us🥰. YNWA