Medhi Benatia Announces Retirement From Football

Former Bayern Munich, Juventus and Marseille center-back Medhi Benaita has announced his retirement from football at the age of 34.

Benaita, who earned over 60 Morocco caps, made the announcement on his social media accounts just two years after retiring from national team.

“This job has also allowed me to defend and represent my country, Morocco, with whom I have experienced unforgettable moments, the various Nations Cups but in particular the 2018 World Cup,” Bnaita wrote on social media.

“From a young age I had only one dream, to become a professional footballer.

“To get there, I had to force myself to work hard, make sacrifices, but above all set new goals at each stage of my career.

“Thank God I had the good fortune to become a professional footballer but as they say in this profession, the hardest part is not to sign your first contract but to last over time.

“After more than 15 years of “good and loyal service” to football, having played in the most prestigious competitions, I have decided to end my career!”

Benaita  most recently been playing his club football in Turkey for Super Lig side Fatih Karagumruk.

The French-born player made his international debut for Morroco on 19 November 2008 in a 3–0 friendly win over Zambia at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.

Benatia scored his first goal for Atlas Lions on 4 June 2011, opening a 4–0 win over rivals Algeria in a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

He was Morocco captain in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2018 World Cup in Russia where he played all the matches.