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The year 2024 witnessed some illustrious names draw the curtains on their careers including the likes of tennis icon Nadal, Indian wrestler Phogat, Spanish legend Andres Iniesta and Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri.
Rafael Nadal, Andres Iniesta, Sunil Chhetri, Vinesh Phogat.
The year 2024 witnessed some iconic sportsmen hang up their boots bringing down the curtains on their illustrious careers including the likes of legendary tennis star Rafael Nadal and Indian icon Sunil Chhetri.
Spanish genius Andres Iniesta also called time on his trophy-laden career, while Indian wrestling ace Vinesh Phogat opted to call it quits following an Olympic heartbreak that moved the nation.
Andres Iniesta
Don Andres, who inspired Spain to their maiden FIFA World Cup title in 2010 with the lone goal in the final against The Netherlands, bid adieu to the beautiful game on a professional level in 2024.
‘El Illusionista’ was a crucial component of the Spanish golden generation that ruled European and World football between 2008 and 2012, as they decorated their trophy cabinets with two Euro titles and the coveted World Cup.
A La Masia flagbearer, he served faithfully for Catalan club Barcelona, where he won the league nine times in addition to six Copa Del Rey. The Blaugrana also clinched the UEFA Champions League four times and the FIFA Club World Cup thrice with Iniesta at the heart of it all.
Iniesta spent five years between 2018 and 2023 at Japan’s Vissel Kobe before a brief stint at Emirates in the UAE.
Rafael Nadal
Arguably the biggest name on the list of players to call time on their careers this year, the King of Clay pulled the curtains on his glorious career that boasts an incredible 22 grand slam titles, 14 of which came on the clay courts of Roland Garros.
Nadal, who had been plagued by injuries towards the twilight of his career, sought to recover enough to play as many events as he could but was handed a tough pill to swallow due to his recurring injury woes.
The raging bull, as he is fondly known, announced his retirement in October and played his final professional outing at the Davis Cup in November.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
One of the most iconic strikers of the modern generation, the maverick Swede brought an end to his glittery journey after a globe-trotting career which saw Ibrahimovic travel far and wide.
The mercurial striker, who made a name for himself with his awe-inspiring goal-scoring abilities and wonder strikes from unimaginable positions on the field had successful stints with multiple global giants including Italia rivals Juventus, AC Milan and Inter.
He also had a glittery spell at PSG, after the promise he demonstrated at childhood side Malmo and his subsequent spells at Ajax. He also had brief stints with Spanish giants Barcelona, English heavyweights Manchester United and MLS side LA Galaxy in his lengthy career which saw him find the back of the net with acrobatic strikes that oozed ballerina like elegance.
Toni Kroos
German World Cup-winning midfielder, Kroos, has been at the heart of Die Mannschaft and Real Madrid’s achievements over the past decade and a half.
Kroos’ mastery of the ball saw him orchestrate Los Blancos clinch four La Liga titles and five UEFA Champions League trophies and as many FIFA Club World Cup titles in a trophy-laden stint for the German in Madrid.
Kroos called time on his career following the Euro 2024, held on home soil, in which Germany made it to the quarterfinal of the event before being shown the exit door by eventual champions Spain.
Sunil Chhetri
The prolific former Indian skipper, who stands fourth in the list of all-time international top scorers with 94 strikes in his 151 appearances for the Blue Tigers, only behind the likes of legendary names such as Portuguese talisman Cristiano Ronaldo, Argentine World Cup winner Lionel Messi and Iranian superstar Ali Daei, brought an end to his time with the national side.
Chhetri, however, continues to ply his trade in the Indian Super League at club level with Bengaluru FC as he pushes on to thrill the nation with his abilities in the box.
Vinesh Phogat
A dramatic conclusion to a whirlwind career saw the Haryanvi wrestler taking a bow from wrestling following a harsh pill to swallow at the pinnacle of sport in the form of a disqualification ahead of her final at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Phogat was declared ineligibly to take part in the gold medal bout in Paris after being found a few kilograms over the stipulated weight limit bringing an inspirational run to the summit clash to a grinding halt that shook the nation.
Phogat went on to join politics with the Indian National Congress and serves as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in Haryana after her triumph in the 2024 assembly election from Julana constituency.