When there is a meeting, there is a parting. As it was every year, many legends left the ground this year. Soccer statistics media 'Transfermarkt' highlighted players who announced their retirement in 2023 as best Eleven on the 15th (Korea Standard Time).
The attackers were Eden Hazard, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gareth Bale. Azar most recently announced his retirement. He is an early age to retire at 32, but he announced his retirement because he suffered from injuries in Real Madrid and was very competitive. He is a striker who played for the Chelsea and Belgium national teams and enjoyed an era, but he left the ground somewhat disgracefully after showing the worst performance in Real.
Striker Zlatan, who is over 40, has also left. Zlatan played for many teams and was called the champion contractor and showed off his old age by showing off his amazing performance in Europe from the United States. Zlatan, who was in AC Milan, retired after failing to recover. Bale, who had his prime with Tottenham Hotspur and Real, was also the best player in Welsh history, eventually retired after going to the United States after suffering an injury.
Mesut Ozil, David Silva and Cesc Fabregas were in the midfield. All of them were once called the best playmakers. Ozil was a star in Germany and Real, and played for Arsenal for a long time, leaving his mark in the Premier League (PL). Silva is a historic midfielder who has played a crucial role in Manchester City's status now. Fabregas played for Arsenal and Chelsea and was called the best PASSER in PL history.
The defense was made up of Michael Hector, Diego Godin, João Miranda and Sime Vrsalico. It is notable that the Godin and Miranda duo were named side by side. The two are the players who made up the Atletico Madrid's iron wall defense. Center backs, who were responsible for an era of Atletico led by Diego Simeone, retired in the same year, drawing attention.
Gianluigi Buffon, who seemed to last forever, also announced his retirement. Buffon played for Juventus and Italy and was considered the greatest goalkeeper in football history. Buffon, who left Juventus for his former Parma, announced his retirement in 2023 when he turned 45.