Footballers retiring in their late-20s and early-30s is not a common sight nowadays. Generally, they tend to motor along till their late-30s and even early-40s. So, it was definitely a big surprise when Jack Wilshere, a former Arsenal prodigy, announced his retirement from the game at 30.
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Wilshere was one of the best young players for the Gunners in the early 2010s, including that one superlative performance against Barcelona in 2011. However, injuries had slowed his career down, and a move to West Ham United did not work out.
Wilshere barely played, before having short spells with Bournemouth and Aarhus Gymnastikforening (AGF) in Denmark. The 34 caps England international is set to take charge of the Arsenal U18s, but his career remains a great ‘what if?’
Nevertheless, Wilshere is just one more famous name added to the list of players to retire early. FootTheBall picks the top 10 players to leave the game too early over the years.
Jack Wilshere (July, 2020)
The boy wonder who could do no wrong. Wilshere was favourite of Arsenal and Arsene Wenger, with his unmatchable skills. He was well on his way to becoming a superstar, and had already shown glimpses of a hugely successful career in store.
I’ve lived my dream. Thank you all ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rB5gnyyUlK
— Jack Wilshere (@JackWilshere) July 8, 2022
However, injuries were always around. Wilshere won the FA Cup in 2014 and 2015, but only made 43 appearances in between 2015 to 2018. The problems did not get better after leaving Arsenal, as a decent first season at West Ham was followed by more injuries.
Bournemouth and AGF provided much respite but the race was over. An unfulfilled career with the potential to explode never really took off.
Just Fontaine (July, 1962)
13 goals in a single FIFA World Cup finals campaign? Just too easy. Fontaine was a goal-scoring marvel, who scored 145 goals across 152 appearances for Stade Reims across all competitions.
His partnership with Raymond Kopa was one for the ages, and the duo won two Ligue 1 titles, alongside reaching the 1959 European Cup final. However, it was his exploits with France that really cemented his legacy.
30 goals in just 21 appearances, including that record haul at the 1958 FIFA World Cup. Unfortunately, Fontain retired in 1962 at the age of 28, after…
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