K. Nurmagomedov retired at the age of 32. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC
The early retirement of Khabib Nurmagomedov, 32 years old, last Saturday (24), after unifying the UFC lightweight (up to 70,3kg) belt, continues to give something to talk about. The athlete, however, was not the first and will not be the last to make the difficult decision.
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In the sporting world, many athletes seek to extend their careers as much as possible, whether for the love of sport, finances or the ability to maintain high performance for many years. Cases like those of Romário, Floyd Mayweather, Anderson Silva, Zé Roberto and Evander Holyfield are examples of people who try or have tried to fight against time and prolong their trajectories in their respective sports.
On the other hand, there are those who absorb their time in competitions beforehand and decide that it is time to retire. With these cases in mind, our team selected some examples of athletes who interrupted their careers, often at their peak. Check out.
1) Georges St. Pierre
G. St-Pierre hasn't fought since 2017. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @georgesstpierre
Considered by many to be one of the best MMA fighters of all time, Georges St-Pierre made history while wearing UFC gloves. Among the select group of fighters who held more than one belt in different categories in the company, the Canadian officially left the sport in 2017.
At the time, Georges had just won his second company title, beating Michael Bisping, competing for the middleweight belt (up to 83,9kg.). It seemed that the Canadian would begin a new reign in the organization, but the athlete surprised everyone by announcing that he would leave MMA for good, at 36 years old.
In recent years, the athlete has sometimes rehearsed a possible comeback. St-Pierre never hid that a superfight against Khabib Nurmagomedov could motivate you to return. The clash, however, never got off the ground and the Russian's recent announcement could end the conversation definitively.
2) Ronda Rousey
R. Rousey is not considering a return to MMA. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook RondaRousey
One of the most important names for the dissemination of women's MMA, Ronda Rousey reigned supreme in Ultimate for a few years. Olympic medalist (Beijing, 2008), the American debuted in mixed martial arts in March 2011. Representative of the bantamweight (up to 61,2kg), the athlete led the division in the UFC between 2013 and 2015.
With a ground fight that seemed indecipherable, Ronda dominated her opponents with ease and, for years, was one of the biggest names in the organization. Rousey's reign ended in November 2015, when the blonde saw her throne being occupied by her compatriot Holly holm.
Many thought the loss to Holm would be the end of Ronda's career. However, in December 2016, the former champion shocked the world by announcing her return and would try to regain the belt against the already champion, Amanda nunes. The attempt ended up going wrong. In the clash against the 'Lione', the North American ended up becoming easy prey for the Brazilian's aggressiveness, losing with a brutal knockout in the first round.
After the setback for the Bahian, Ronda officially retired from MMA, at the age of 29, and started performing in WWE.
3) Michael Phelps
M. Phelps retired in 2016. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
The greatest Olympic medalist in history – across all sports –, with 28 podiums, Michael Phelps also completes the list. Owner of numerous world records, the North American has become a global phenomenon due to his high level of competitiveness in swimming.
Professional in the sport since 2000, Michael won his first Olympic gold in Athens in 2004 and, from then on, he never stopped. In total, there were five participations in the Olympics and they were always surprising.
In 2012, Phelps shocked his fans by announcing his retirement from the sport at the age of 27. The swimmer, however, reversed his decision to test himself once again in one of the main competitions in history. Back in 2016, he shone again at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, taking home six more medals (five gold).
After Rio, Michael confirmed that he would not compete again and was definitely out, at the age of 31.
4) Tite
Tite had a short career as a player and retired at the age of 27. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Current coach of the Brazilian football team, Tite, for those who don't know, had a short career as a player. A defensive midfielder by profession, the coach played for four professional teams before opting to play outside the field.
With the ball at his feet, Tite defended the colors of Caixas, Esportivo, Portuguesa (SP) and Guarani. His period as an athlete, however, was short and ended in 1985, due to a series of injuries. Today, a coach, he left the sport at 28 years old.
5) Penny
Tostão retired at the age of 27. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Still in football, Tostão, the 'Doctor of the Ball', despite his worldwide fame, also had a short career. Idol of Cruzeiro (MG), and with a World Cup under his belt, many don't know that he stopped at just 27 years old.
Known for his refined technique, the striker chose to interrupt his career due to an eye problem, which could leave him early in the long term. The injury was the result of a play during a match against Corinthians, in São Paulo, in 1969. Tostão underwent surgery and managed to recover in time to compete in the 70's World Cup, where he was champion with the Brazilian team.
Years later, however, the eye became a concern again and, on medical recommendation, the player chose to officially leave the sport, then taking the entrance exam for medicine and graduating in the profession.
6) Van Basten
V. Basten left football at the age of 30. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Famous striker from the 1980s and 1990s, Van Basten is one of the cases that ended up losing the battle to injuries. An athlete for just two clubs, Ajax and Milan, the Dutchman was feared with the ball at his feet. Voted FIFA's best player in 1992, the player, however, was a victim of chronic ankle pain.
Basten tried to prolong his career on the pitch as much as possible. However, the player left the sport in 1995, at the age of 30.
7) Usain Bolt
U. Bolt left athletics at age 30. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Considered the fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt was also quick to decide to leave athletics. A phenomenon in the sport, with eight gold medals in Olympic games, the Jamaican chose Brazil as the stage for his goodbye.
Bolt, who became a professional in the sport in 2004, at the age of 17, lived a path of glory on the track. After great achievements and worldwide fame, the athlete retired from the sport in August 2017, at the age of 30.
8) Zidane
Z. Zidane retired at the age of 33. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
In the select category of football athletes who 'play in a suit', Zidane, without a doubt, left his mark as one of the best representatives of the sport. Once a World Cup champion (1998) and three times chosen by FIFA as the best player (1998, 2000, 2003), Zinedine enchanted wherever he appeared.
Owner of a unique technique, Zidane left the sport in 2006. In his last match, which marked the final of that year's cup, the Frenchman ended up being marked for a headbutt delivered to Italian defender Marco Materazzi, after being provoked. After the action, Zinedine was expelled from the field and, at the age of 33, announced his retirement to dedicate himself to his work as a coach.
9) Adriano
Adriano hasn't played since 2016. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
A charismatic figure in Brazilian football, Adriano remains alive in the imagination of sports fans, especially Flamengo fans. An athlete who combined physical and technical strength, the Rio native enchanted the world in his nearly 15-year career.
Professional since 2000, the 'Emperor' burst into football between 2004 and 2006, when he wore the Inter Milan (ITA) shirt. Through the club, the athlete received the nickname he still carries today. In the national team, Adriano played in the 2006 World Cup, being one of the hottest names on a team full of stars. The player, however, went through a personal drama with the loss of his father, Almir Leite Ribeiro. After the tragedy, Adriano had difficulty finding his way back into the sport.
Even though he was shaken, the player won important titles, such as the 2009 Brazilian Championship, with Flamengo. Even without ever making his official retirement public, the 'Emperor' has not appeared officially since 2016, when he was 34 years old. His last Brazilian club was Athlético Paranaense, in 2014.
10) Michael Jordan
M. Jordan had three career retirements. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Considered one of the greatest phenomena in the history of sports, Michael Jordan could not be left out of the list. For many, the best basketball player of all time, the American also went through the difficult process of early retirement.
Known for his dedication, perfectionism and desire to win, Jordan is one of the examples of 'come and go' in his career. The greatest idol in the history of the Chicago Bulls, an NBA team, Michael had won three national titles with the team and, after a personal tragedy, when he lost his father, he chose to leave basketball in 1993, at the age of 30, and dedicate himself to basketball. baseball.
In 1995, however, the star returned to the sport and won, with the Bulls, the championships in 1996, 1997 and 1998. In the last one, Jordan left the sport again.
The athlete resumed his career in 2001, playing for the Washington Wizzards. However, at the age of 38, his physical shape was no longer the same.
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