Top 5 footballers who may retire at the end of the season

Zanetti has been an excellent servant for Inter Milan

5. Javier Zanetti- Few players in world football are as loyal as Javier Zanetti. The Argentine defender has been with Inter since 1995, making over 600 appearances for the Nerazzurri in the process.

Zanetti has won a truck load of trophies with the club including 5 consecutive Serie A titles, 4 Coppa Italia’s, 1 Champions League and 1 FIFA Club World Cup. El Tractor is extremely versatile and can play on both sides of the defense along with fitting into the teams midfield positions.

Zanetti’s most successful position was as Inter’s right back where he won praise for his strength and speed along with his ability to support the teams attack when needed. Il Capitano, as he is fondly called by Inter fans, was immortalized in 2004 by Brazilian legend Pele when he included Zanetti in his list of 125 Greatest Living Footballers list as a part of FIFA’s hundredth anniversary.

The 40-year-old has also been ever present for Argentina national team since 1994, amassing 145 caps and winning 2 Copa America’s, 2 Confederation Cups, anSilver Medal in the Olympic games before retiring from international football in 2011 at the age of 38- a stunning achievement indeed. Zanetti celebrated his 700th appearance for Inter in a fairy tale manner when Jose Mourinho led the team to a 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final on 22nd May 2010.

In 2013 Zanetti ruptured his achilles tendon in a match against Palermo which could have ended his playing career. However that was not the case and Zanetti returned for Inter in a match against Livorno on 9th November. This year Zanetti may finally call time on his illustrious career in favor of other talents. Inter will lose a gem if he decides to step down.

Raul will go down as one of the greatest footballers in history

4. Raul- The prolific Spaniard will go down in history as one of the greatest strikers to ever grace the game of football when he finally decides to hang up his enormous boots. The legendary Spaniard has won a room full of awards with his club and country and will be fondly remembered by Real Madrid faithful for years to come.

The 36-year-old had won 6 La Liga‘s, 4 UEFA Super Cups, 2 Intercontinental Cups and 3 Champions Leagues(becoming the competitions all time top scorer on the way) with Los Blancos. The legendary number 7 scored a breathtaking 323 goals for Real Madrid becoming their top scorer ahead of Alferdo Di Stefano who scored 307 goals. The incredible forward also scored 44 goals for the Spanish national team and held the record for being La Rojas top scorer for many years before his tally was surpassed by David Villa on 25th March 2011.

The Spaniard moved to Bundesliga club Schalke 04 in 2010, calling time on his glittering career at Real Madrid. Raul showed Schalke that he hadn’t lost his touch when he scored 19 goals in his first season with the club and 21 in his second.

The former Spanish international won the DFB Pokal and the DFL Supercup with Schalke and even managed to score 5 Champions League goals while at the club before departing for Qatari outfit Al Sadd.

The striker still has a few good performances left in him but should he decide to quit the game he can always find a place back at his beloved Real Madrid as a coach. After all who wouldn’t want to develop their skills under one of Spain’s greatest ever players?

Puyol is one of the greatest defenders of his generation

3. Carles Puyol- The shaggy haired defender has been Barcelona’s rock for many years making 558 appearances for his boyhood club.

The 35-year-old has won 6 La Liga’s, 2 Copa Del Ray’s, 2 Club World Cups, 6 Spanish Super Cups and 3 Champions Leagues with the Camp Nou outfit. On a personal note Puyol has been included in the UEFA Team of the Year 6 times along being included in the FIFA XI on 3 occasions.

The defender has amassed 100 caps for the national team, and has won a World Cup and the Euro 2008 with La Roja. The Barca skipper has some extraordinary leadership skills along with amazing work ethic.

Team-mate and defensive partner Gerard Pique once said: “He’s someone who, even if you’re winning 3–0 and there’s a few seconds left in the game will shout at the top of his voice at you if he thinks your concentration is going”.

The recent seasons saw Puyol struggle with numerous injury problems but the defender managed to overcome the odds and still give it his best.

Xavi once remarked “Puyol is the key, not just because he is one of the best defenders in the world but because of his character. He never lets up”.

The center back has made just 7 appearances this season for Barcelona and may call time on his footballing career after the FIFA World Cup. There are many talented defenders on Barcelona’s books but the Catlan club will have a hard time replacing their heart.

Ferdinand is one of the best defenders to ever play for Manchester United

2. Rio Ferdinand- Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson paid £30 million for the services of Rio in 2002 making him the most expensive defender ever and it is safe to say that Ferdinand more than justified his investment.

The 35-year-old has been an integral part of the United set up for over a decade and has helped the team win 6 Premier Leagues, 2 League Cups, 5 Community Shields, 1 FIFA Club World Cup and 1 Champions League. The center back has been included in the PFA Team of the Year on six occasions and was a part of the FIFA XI for the year 2007-2008.

Ferdinand formed one of the worlds most finest defense partnerships along with Nemanja Vidic and together they kept many clean sheets for the Old Trafford club. Rio has received praise for his tackling, positioning and blocking skills from various critics, who considered him as one of the best defenders in the world in his prime.

It is unfortunate that he has not won an FA Cup yet with Manchester United. The former England international was a vital part of the Three Lions before announcing his retirement from international football last summer. Ferdinand deserved to lift at least one trophy with his country but unfortunately that wasn’t to be.

The veteran’s form and pace has dipped considerably since last year and has played 12 games for the Red Devils this season. Ferdinand will most likely hang up his boots at the end of the season but will do so having permanently carved a niche for himself at the Theater Of Dreams.

Giggs is the most decorated footballer in British history and is one of the best players to grace the game

1. Ryan Giggs- One simply cannot say enough to describe this legend. The one and only Welsh Wizard has achieved the unthinkable with Manchester United and it can be safely said that no other player will achieve what Giggs has – ever.

The 40-year-old genius has won some unthinkable professional achievements with the Red Devils including 13 Premier League, 4 FA Cups, 2 Champions Leagues and 1 FIFA Club World Cup. Giggs has made well over 900 appearances for his club and will be fondly remembered by Manchester United faithful for scoring some spectacular goals including the unforgettable goal against Arsenal in the FA Cup final in 1999.

Giggs has also won numerous personal awards including 6 PFA Team of the Year awards, the Golden Foot Award, the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award and the PFA Team of the Decade Award.

The ageless Giggs holds the distinction of scoring at least 1 goal every season and is praised for his ability to dictate play along with creating goalscoring opportunities for his team mates. Giggs may hang up his boots at the end of the season in favor of some younger talent leaving a huge legacy behind.

The former Wales international is already a part of Manchester United’s coaching set up and will be a part of it for years to come. It will be a fitting tribute if Manchester United retire Giggs’s number 11 jersey in honor of legend.