Jerome Boateng, a member of Germany’s 2014 World Cup champion squad, has officially ended his playing career. The 37-year-old center-back announced his retirement on social media on Friday evening. He most recently played for LASK Linz in Austria but had terminated his contract with the club early.
In a 65-second video, Boateng said emotionally, “I have been playing football for a long time, representing big clubs and my country. I have learned so much, experienced victories and defeats, and grown through all of it.” His caption for the video read: “Family. Friends. Fans. It’s time.”
Boateng added, “Football has given me so much, and now it’s time to start a new chapter. This is not because I have to leave, but because I am ready. I am grateful for everything: the teams, the fans, those who supported me, and most importantly, my family and children, who have always been by my side.”
Throughout his career, Boateng played for Hertha Berlin, Hamburger SV, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Lyon, Salernitana, and LASK Linz. He spent nearly a decade at Bayern Munich, where he claimed 9 Bundesliga titles, 2 UEFA Champions League titles, and 5 DFB-Pokal (German Cup) titles. On the international stage, he earned 76 caps for Germany and was part of the team that won the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
