Former Chelsea midfielder Ramires has announced his retirement from football at 35 after 16 years of professional career.
The 35-year-old has called time on his 16-year playing career, where he played for Chelsea, Benfica, Palmeiras, Jiangsu Suning, Cruzeiro and Joinville.
Ramirez announced his retirement this afternoon on Instagram, the Brazilian making the news official after he had been without a club since the end of November 2020 when he left Palmeiras by mutual consent.
He follows in the footstep of his former Chelsea teammate and Super Eagles Midfielder, John Mikel Obi, who also announced his retirement from football in less than 48 hours.
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The 35 years old man make 248 appearances for the Blues between 2010 and 2016.
Ramires joined Chelsea in 2010 for £19million and won a Premier League, an FA Cup, the Europa League, the League Cup and the club’s maiden Champions League.
A social media video featured highlights of Ramires’ career was shared today with the caption: ‘After some reflection, I would like to inform you that I have officially decided to end my career as a professional football player.
‘At this point, I can only thank God first for having trained me and led me to the highest levels that sport can offer. Many thanks also to all the clubs I went through, I will always carry you and your fans in my heart.
Gratitude also to the Brazilian Football Team for giving me the pleasure of playing two World Cups, which was a dream come true. Also grateful to all the teammates, employees, coaches and directors that I had the pleasure to work with.
Former Chelsea player Ramirez announced his retirement from football at 35.
— iR Sport (@iRSport_) September 28, 2022
Happy Retirement pic.twitter.com/cJU5RzNPSQ
‘To my family, mother, children, brothers and true friends, thank you so much for being by my side unconditionally during all these years, vibrating for my every achievement as if it were yours, which has always been my greatest strength and motivation.
‘I will go in other directions, but with the same happiness and courage that I had since I was little, when, against all expectations, I left my city in the countryside of Rio de Janeiro to conquer the world. Thanks for everything, football!’
Ramires began his career in his home country of Brazil before joining Benfica in 2009.
A year later he was signed by Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea, and was part of the squad that won the league title in his first season at the club.
He played a vital role in the Blues’ Champions League winning squad in 2012, scoring at the Nou Camp in the semi-final win against Barcelona.
He also scored against Liverpool in the FA Cup final to help his side lift the trophy the same year, and netted 33 times in total for Chelsea.
Chelsea tweeted: ‘Happy retirement!’ following the news.
He left the club in January of 2016 to sign for Chinese side Jiangsu, before returning to Brazil with Palmeiras in 2019.
He also played 52 times for Brazil.
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