Aaron Ramsey has announced his retirement from soccer, ending his 20-year playing career.
The 35-year-old made over 250 Premier League appearances for Arsenal and scored 21 goals in 86 appearances for Wales.
He has not been with a club since his contract with Mexico’s UNAM ended by mutual consent in October last year, having moved to Central America after a second stint with his boyhood club Cardiff and a short spell as interim manager.
Ramsey made the announcement on his Instagram, saying: “This was not an easy decision. After much consideration, I have decided to retire from football.”
“I want to start with Wales. It has been my privilege to wear the Wales shirt and experience so many great moments in it. It would not have been possible without the great support of all the managers I have played with and all the staff who have helped me in so many ways.”
“To the Red Wall. You were there through thick and thin! You were there through good and bad, and you were an essential and essential part of our success. We can’t thank you enough. We’ve been through everything together, and it was an honor to represent you. Diork.”
“Secondly, I would like to thank all the clubs I have been lucky enough to play for.
“I would like to thank the coach and all the staff for helping me realize my dreams and play at the highest level.
“And a huge thank you to my wife and kids and my entire family. None of this would have been possible without you by my side.”
Ramsey and Alexis Sanchez scored as Arsenal won the FA Cup with a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Wembley in 2017.
“World Class” Talent
Wales responded with their own tribute, calling Ramsey a “world-class talent” and “an integral part of the golden generation that made international history”, who helped his country win all three major tournaments and had a memorable performance all the way to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 in France, where he was named in the squad for the tournament.
Ramsey’s importance to the national team was so great that at just 20 years old he became captain under the late Gary Speed, and then permanently.
He broke through for Cardiff in April 2007, becoming the club’s youngest ever player at 16 years and 124 days old, and quickly became a mainstay in the Bluebirds’ squad, signing for Arsenal just a year later for just under £5 million.
It took a while for Ramsey to make his mark at the Emirates. This was partly due to a series of injuries that would later ruin much of his career, but he was still named Wales Young Player of the Year in 2009 and 2010.
Ramsey made his breakthrough at the age of 16 with his boyhood club Cardiff City.
He went on to become a mainstay in Arsenal’s midfield, eventually making 369 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 64 goals, including double figures in the Premier League in 2013/14, and twice being named the club’s Player of the Year.
Ramsey won three FA Cups during his time at the Emirates, before moving to Juventus in 2019, where he won the Scudetto under manager Maurizio Sarri and the Coppa Italia the following year.
A short loan spell with Rangers brought him further silver medals, including a Scottish Cup medal and an appearance in the Europa League final against Frankfurt. Ramsey came on as a substitute in the 117th minute, but continued to miss crucial spot kicks as Rangers lost 5–4 to the Germans on penalties.
He will overcome that disappointment by joining Wales’ first World Cup campaign since 1958 in the second half of 2022, starting all three games in Qatar.
