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2017 has flown past us at the speed of Mohamed Salah and after celebrating the arrival of a new year, we now have time to reflect on things that happened in the previous year. A footballer calling it a day over his career can truly be said as one of the toughest pills to swallow in the life of a football supporter.
The previous calendar year saw a high number of players who made our childhood special hanging their boots and playing for one last time in 2017. In this segment, we will take a look at the top 10 players who called it a day over their illustrious careers in 2017:
#8 Dirk Kuyt
A working class hero. Nothing can describe Dirk Kuyt better than that. Coming from a country known for its flair and grace, Kuyt made his name for his unstoppable work rate and his tenacity. The Dutchman became a household name during his time with Liverpool where he reached the Champions League final in 2007 but eventually lost out to AC Milan.
Kuyt became a cult figure at Liverpool and left the club after six successful seasons. He then won the Turkish league with Fenerbahce and secured a return to his local club, Feyenoord. In the last game of the 2016/17 season, the Rotterdam side needed all three points to clinch a first league title in 18 years.
On stepped Dirk Kuyt. The captain scored a memorable hat-trick and won the league for his side, all on his own. It was the last game of football that Kuyt ever featured in as he called it quits on a brilliant career.
#7 Gianluigi Buffon
Gigi's international footballing journey came to a very emotional end a few months back when Italy failed to break it into the teams that booked their place in this year's World Cup. The picture of Buffon crying at the final whistle could have brought any football loving adult to tears. A brilliant human being and an even brilliant goalkeeper has been an inspiration for millions around the globe.
One of the best custodians to ever play the game retired from international football after that match which brought an end to literally an era. The Italian stalwart won the FIFA Best goalkeeper award in 2017 and was still considered as having many years left in his tank to contribute.
Fortunately for us, Buffon is still seen every week in Juventus colours, making sharp saves and marshalling his back line. The 39-year-old has wished to play for the Bianconeri for a couple more years but it is expected that he will take a final call on his club career in May.
#6 Kaka
Kaka was the sort of player that every opposition team wanted in their ranks. A playmaker with the mind of a rocket scientist and the feet of a ballet dancer, Kaka displayed his insane talents during his first stint with AC Milan. Though he could not follow that up during his tenure in Spain with Real Madrid, Kaka remains one of the best Brazilian attackers of this century.
The Brazilian won the Ballon d'Or in 2007, the last player to do so before the two freaks -- Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi -- started their domination. Kaka left for Orlando City in 2014 and recently played his last game for the MLS side. He gave a brilliant parting speech after his last performance on the field for Orlando where he thanked the Almighty.
Though innumerable injuries took it's toll on a bright career, Kaka still managed to encapsulate an entire generation with his deft touches, defence threading passes, those curling shots into the top corner and THAT goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Champions League.
#5 Frank Lampard
"Super Frank" as he is referred to by the Chelsea faithful called it a day in 2017 after his short stint with New York City FC. Lampard had a stellar career for club and country and was considered by many as one of the best midfielders of his generation. If not as an all rounder midfielder, he surely was the best in terms of goalscoring.
Arriving late into the box to get at the end of a cutback and slamming it into the back of the net, we can bet that Frank Lampard could even do this in his sleep. The master of the big games, Lampard won every possible honour with Chelsea and is still considered as the best player to ever play for the Blues.
The only regret that can be said about Lampard's career is that the veteran was not able to end his career with the club he loved the most - Chelsea Football Club (and also the goal that wasn't given against Germany in the World Cup). Lampard can easily be said as a modern day great who is nowadays seen killing it in the studios as a pundit.
#4 Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso was the kind of player that reinvented the role of a deep-lying playmaker. Be it putting in a shift and doing the dirty work or pinging 40 yards cross field balls and dictating the tempo, Alonso could do it all. And the most important part, he dominated the field wherever he went. Be it England, Spain or Germany.
Along with his achievements for Spain, Alonso has been a part of some special teams around Europe. The midfielder won three Bundesliga titles in a row with Bayern Munich, he won La Decima with Real Madrid a few years back and it was also the Spaniard who scored the third goal and the equaliser in the match dubbed as the 'Miracle of Istanbul' between Liverpool and AC Milan.
Alonso was one of the classiest players to ever play the game and he announced his retirement on Twitter in the same way as he played the game. He tweeted, "Lived it. Loved it. Farewell beautiful game." And that brought to an end a beautiful journey for a brilliant footballer.
#3 Phillip Lahm
Lahm was one of the most impactful fullbacks to ever play the game. Pep Guardiola called Phillip Lahm as the most intelligent player that he has ever worked with. Can a player get a bigger compliment than this? Lahm was an accomplished right back who won every team honour that was humanly possible and also guided his country to a famous World Cup win.
Just as Lahm knew when to join the attack and when to sit back, the German legend knew when his body was asking for him to stop. Lahm was still playing at a high level and could have continued for at least 2-3 years. But the 33-year-old took a surprising decision and caused great sadness in the hearts of many.
During his retirement speech, Lahm said, "My leadership style is in the way I give my best every day, in every training session and every match. I believe I can do this until the end of the season but not beyond then. It is clear to me I will stop." What a man, what a player!
#2 Andrea Pirlo
Calm. Genius. Orchestrator. These are the words that come to mind when one starts to describe the genius that is Andrea Pirlo. The Italian midfield maestro decided to hang his boots this season, playing for New York City in the MLS.
Pirlo has had a glorious career like none where he won every possible honour for club and country, except the Ballon d'Or. Well, that can be said as a loss for the award and France Football than for Pirlo at the end. A majestic player to watch, the Italian played for three giants in Serie A and won top honours with each of his clubs.
His best performances came for Italy in the 2006 World Cup where he guided the Azzurri to glory with his midfield expertise. He won the man of the match gong three times that tournament, including in the final against France.
"I spent the afternoon of July 9, 2006, playing the PlayStation. In the evening, I went and won the World Cup," - a quote that perfectly sums the man that is Andrea Pirlo.
#1 Francesco Totti
"It's a fantastic feeling. I always wanted to end my career having only worn one shirt - the Roma one - and I think I earned it." With this, one of the most elegant players to ever grace the game called it a day in 2017. Francesco Totti - the son of Rome and in some senses, truly a gladiator.
In an age where footballers change loyalties like they changed clothes, Totti remained a one-club man for a staggering period of 25 years. He won the World Cup with Italy in 2006 and while he was not so lucky with AS Roma in terms of trophies, Totti remained an integral part of Italy's elite footballers.
Coming to his playing style, Totti was a perfect no.10. A playmaker who could create and score goals, Totti was considered by many as the ideal trequartista. With 250 goals to his name, Totti went down as AS Roma's highest ever goalscorer and was the previous calendar year's most emotional retirement.
