Ex-Liverpool, Cameroon defender Matip retires

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Former Liverpool defender Joel Matip has announced his retirement from football at the age of 33.

Matip joined Liverpool in 2016 from Schalke and made 201 appearances for the club, winning five major trophies. Notably, he provided the assist for Divock Origi’s goal in the 2019 Champions League final, securing a 2-0 win against Tottenham and helping Liverpool claim their sixth European Cup.

Injuries limited Matip to just nine appearances during Liverpool’s 2019-20 Premier League-winning campaign, which ended the club’s 30-year title drought.

Matip departed Liverpool at the end of the 2023-24 season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury that ended his final season early. He retires as a free agent, having earned 27 caps for his country but did not sign with another club following his exit from Liverpool.