Latest news with #CharlyMusonda
The Sun
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool set Elliot price as Reds ‘chase' Guehi, Chelsea AGREE Pedro deal, Richarlison EXCLUSIVE
Charly Musonda announces his retirement from football Ex-Chelsea star Charly Musonda has announced his retirement from football, but only 11v11. In a social media statement, the 28-year-old revealed he would be pursuing a new venture in the future but had taken the decision to leave full senior football behind. He said: "Today I'm announcing that I'm stepping away from 11v11 football, but not not so much away from the game I have loved, I still think I have a lot to give, especially for top players around the globe who need a stage — I have been through so much over the last few years so many emotions happiness, sadness, which made me realise there are so many great talents with great stories who have gone or are going through similar obstacles with so much left to give but little help, and there's probably no one better to help but me, more on @vs1fc coming soon." He thanked his family for always supporting him, giving a special acknowledgement to his father, former team-mates and rivals and thanked his idols and coaches for inspiring him on his path. Musonda signed off by saying: "As for me, I have been truly blessed, this is not goodbye, but a new beginning, one where hopefully I can help play a small part in making the world better for footballers. "Thank you and see you soon with a football always." The Belgian winger represented his country 12 times, scoring once. All told he played for Chelsea's senior team on just seven occasions, scoring his only goal for them in a 5-1 League Cup win over Nottingham Forest.
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Former Chelsea wonderkid who was tipped to be 'next Eden Hazard' and fell out with Cesc Fabregas retires aged 28 with shock statement
A former Chelsea wonderkid who was seen as a potential successor to Eden Hazard has hung up his boots aged 28 after a career ravaged by injuries. The Belgian joined Chelsea's youth system in 2012 with his two older brothers after being linked with Barcelona and Real Madrid. Hazard was a mentor and a 'good friend' to the young winger growing up but he would only go on to make seven senior appearances for the Blues. Chelsea sent him out on loan to Real Betis, Celtic, and Vitesse before he eventually left for Spanish second-tier Levante in 2022 - and made a first outing in over 1,000 days there. The player in question is Charly Musonda, whose last game was in January last year for Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta. Despite being tipped for big things, he only managed 74 appearances and two goals across his career. Knee injuries and surgery him ruled out for a total of three years and stunted his growth, which had begun so promisingly as he represented Belgium at under-21s level. Sometimes his talent even got him on the wrong side of his own team-mates. In 2015, when he was 19, he got involved in an alleged training ground bust-up with none other than Cesc Fabregas. The Spain midfielder reacted angrily after Musonda flicked the ball over his head before nutmegging him in training. Fabregas then unleashed a heavy challenge on him which sparked a melee among the squad and forced heated words between the two. Announcing his retirement on Monday, Musonda told the Rising Ballers podcast: 'I've got a big announcement today. 'It's not easy but it's something I've been thinking about for a long time. After reflecting on my experiences and who I am, I've realised I want to live with purpose to inspire and motivate others.' He also said on his Chelsea exit: 'The exit killed me. It killed me mentally. It was the worst thing. 'I was obviously with the reserves at that time so the plan was to pick up with the reserves, get some training in and if there were a few games where I could fit in toward the back end of the season, that was the plan. 'Because I literally had just gotten better. I came back in December-January and was training with the reserves. 'Feeling amazing, happy to be back - obviously it was a long way for me to be fully fit, but just being able to train was amazing. 'The first team was doing really well. It was COVID, so the buildings were split and you wouldn't really see the first team. 'Then toward the back end of the season in the car park I ran into Thomas Tuchel, the manager. 'They were getting ready for the semi-final of the Champions League and he just said, 'How are you feeling? How are things going?. 'It was my first time meeting him. He said, 'I'm looking forward to seeing you back and I said, 'Don't worry, I'll be back for pre-season. 'Because in my mind, it was always pre-season and I'd be back with the first team and we'd see from there. Whistleblowers, brought to you by the Mail and Wickes TradePro, is football's most original new podcast, lifting the lid on the parts of the game no one else talks about 'So I came back for pre-season and that's where things got tricky. That was the end of my time at Chelsea.' He also wrote on Instagram: 'This is not goodbye, but a new beginning, one where hopefully I can help play a small part in making the world better for footballers.
Daily Record
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Brendan Rodgers described me as huge Celtic coup after 24 clubs wanted me - now I have retired aged just 28
The former Hoops loanee has called time on his career as he looks to the future Charly Musonda has announced his retirement from professional football at just 28. The former Celtic loanee - once described as a major coup by Brendan Rodgers when he moved to Parkhead - has decided to call time on his playing career and take his path in a new direction. A promising young talent breaking through at Chelsea, he was expected to go on to big things, but a series of setbacks meant his career didn't go as predicted with his playing days ending with stints at Levante and Anorthosis Famagusta. Announcing his retirement on the Rising Ballers podcast, he said: "I've got a big announcement today. Obviously it took some time and I have been thinking about it the last couple of years. "I am announcing I am going to retire from professional football. It is not an easy decision but again, I want to live my life with purpose and help players. "I am building up towards the next stage now. I am working with helping players express themselves, having an opportunity to showcase how good they are because there are so many players around the world who don't get that opportunity. I know about that. So I want to make a change there and I want players to essentially showcase how good they are and back themselves to turn into professional players." His arrival at Celtic was one that had boss Rodgers over the moon and buzzing. He revealed the youngster had 24 clubs chasing his signature with "some real prestigious clubs" on the list of suitors. Real Madrid had even previously made an enquiry about the player but he picked Parkhead and it was a signing the now Hoops gaffer had extremely high hopes for. Ultimately, it didn't work out, but speaking at the time, Rodgers said: 'He is a big talent,' Rodgers said. 'Subject to a medical, it is a great signing for us. He is a young guy who is in a Premier League squad and an exciting player. "Charly had 24 clubs interested in taking him and some real prestigious clubs at that. "We had permission from Chelsea last season for him to come here and speak to us and came up and he got a feel for it. "The staff at Chelsea know how I work but it is a great coup for Celtic and for Scottish football that a young kid who was coming off the bench for Chelsea in the Premier League is up here a couple of weeks later. It is a big signing for us."
Metro
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
Former Chelsea wonderkid confirms retirement from football at just 28
Charly Musonda, once predicted to be a future superstar for Chelsea and Belgium, has retired from football at just 28 years old. The winger joined the Chelsea academy from Anderlecht in 2012 and big things were expected of him, starring in the Blues youth sides that racked up silverware at the time. However, he only ever made seven first team appearances for the Blues, spending time away from the club on loan at Real Betis, Celtic and Vitesse. Injuries badly hampered the Belgian and he eventually left Chelsea permanently in 2022 for Spanish side Levante, then moved to Cypriot outfit Anorthis a year later. Musonda left his final club last year and has now confirmed that he has hung up his boots for good. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. 'It took some time. I have been thinking about it for the last couple of years,' Musonda told Rising Ballers. 'Purely because of my own experiences and who I am as a person. 'I want to be doing things with purpose. I want to inspire and motivate people. I want to create opportunities. I am starting something new that will hopefully help players. 'Today, I have made a decision. It is a decision I have been wrestling with for a long time, but I am going to retire from professional football. It is not an easy decision, but I am building up towards the next stage now. 'I will still be involved in football. In roles to help players express themselves and giving them an opportunity to showcase how good they are. 'I'm still young but I want to help players who don't have the chance to showcase their talent. 'I know how it feels and with football changing so much, many players never get the opportunity to show what they can do, I want to make a difference.' Musonda's worst injury was picked up while on loan at Vitesse, suffering a knee problem which left doctors predicting he would never play again. He did make a return to the pitch and played for Chelsea's Under-23 side as he built back his fitness, but left Stamford Bridge when his contract ended in 2022, something which he says damaged him badly. 'The exit killed me. It killed me mentally. It was the worst thing,' he said. 'I was obviously with the reserves at that time so the plan was to pick up with the reserves, get some training in and if there were a few games where I could fit in toward the back end of the season, that was the plan. 'Because I literally had just gotten better. I came back in December-January and was training with the reserves. Feeling amazing, happy to be back—obviously it was a long way for me to be fully fit, but just being able to train was amazing. 'The first team was doing really well. It was COVID, so the buildings were split and you wouldn't really see the first team. More Trending 'Then toward the back end of the season in the car park I ran into Thomas Tuchel, the manager. 'They were getting ready for the semi-final of the Champions League and he just said, 'How are you feeling? How are things going?' 'It was my first time meeting him. He said, 'I'm looking forward to seeing you back' and I said, 'Don't worry, I'll be back for pre-season.' 'Because in my mind, it was always pre-season and I'd be back with the first team and we'd see from there. So I came back for pre-season and that's where things got tricky. That was the end of my time at Chelsea.' MORE: Tottenham optimistic about signing Chelsea-linked forward with £85m release clause MORE: Sporting director responds to claims Chelsea have agreed transfer deal for £55m star MORE: Man Utd, Arsenal and Tottenham offered Chelsea star after £60m transfer
Scottish Sun
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Celtic star retires aged 28 as he announces heart-breaking news in emotional interview
HE was tipped to have the world at his feet by this stage of his career after once emerging as one of the most promising talents in Europe. But now aged 28, this former Celtic wonderkid has instead closed the curtain on his football career after a major fall from grace. 4 Charly Musonda was once the next big thing Credit: Getty Images - Getty 4 He was highly-rated in the club's youth ranks Credit: PA:Empics Sport 4 He had one iconic moment during his time in Scotland Credit: Reuters Charly Musonda has officially announced his retirement from football - seven years after his short stint on loan at Parkhead. Musonda joined Celtic for just four months during Brendan Rodgers' first stint as manager and struggled to live up to the hype following his breakthrough at Chelsea. A Uefa Youth League and two-time FA Youth Cup winner with Chelsea, Musonda was tipped to emulate Eden Hazard at Stamford Bridge. But after a series of setbacks his career never reached the heights everyone expected and he was finally released in 2022. He made just eight appearances under Rodgers in Glasgow and what seemed like an exciting signing for fans at the time ended up fading into disappointment. He had punters at the edge of their seats from the moment he joined after he chose 67 as his shirt number as tribute to the Lisbon Lions. But the only real memorable moment from him - in what was a rather forgettable spell - was his iconic assist for Callum McGregor in the 1-0 win over Zenit St Petersburg in the Europa League. Musonda announced his retirement in an emotional video posted by Rising Ballers. He opened up on his years of injury hell and how his setbacks left him with no choice but to finally hang up his boots. Musonda said: "I've got a big announcement today. Celtic loan star Charly Musonda teases short clip of documentary on his life as a young footballer "It's not easy but it's something I've been thinking about for a long time. After reflecting on my experiences and who I am, I've realised I want to live with purpose to inspire and motivate others." Musonda spent years in the Chelsea reserve team in amongst spells at Real Betis, Celtic and Vitesse Arnhem. But he admitted that walking out of the door of Stamford Bridge for the final time "killed" him. He continued: "The exit killed me. It killed me mentally. It was the worst thing. "I was obviously with the reserves at that time so the plan was to pick up with the reserves, get some training in and if there were a few games where I could fit in toward the back end of the season, that was the plan. 4 Musonda dueling for the ball with Lionel Messi while playing for Real Betis Credit: Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be publish "Because I literally had just gotten better. I came back in December-January and was training with the reserves. "Feeling amazing, happy to be back—obviously it was a long way for me to be fully fit, but just being able to train was amazing. "The first team was doing really well. It was COVID, so the buildings were split and you wouldn't really see the first team. "Then toward the back end of the season in the car park I ran into Thomas Tuchel, the manager. "They were getting ready for the semi-final of the Champions League and he just said, 'How are you feeling? How are things going?. "It was my first time meeting him. He said, 'I'm looking forward to seeing you back and I said, 'Don't worry, I'll be back for pre-season. "Because in my mind, it was always pre-season and I'd be back with the first team and we'd see from there. "So I came back for pre-season and that's where things got tricky. That was the end of my time at Chelsea." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
