Top 20+ footballers who deserved a better farewell

Bittersweet goodbyes

Kevin De Bruyne’s illustrious Manchester City journey came to a bittersweet end with a shock defeat in the 2025 FA Cup final against Crystal Palace. After ten years of brilliance, his farewell didn’t come with the silverware many felt he deserved. A legend of the modern era, De Bruyne bowed out without a final trophy, but with a legacy few can rival.

Lionel Messi - Barcelona

The greatest player in Barcelona's history was forced to leave through tears at a press conference, unable to renew his contract due to the club's financial crisis. After 21 years and 35 trophies, Messi deserved to choose his own ending at Camp Nou, not be pushed out by bureaucratic failures and La Liga regulations.

Sergio Agüero - Barcelona

The Manchester City legend's Barcelona dream became a nightmare when heart problems forced his retirement just months after joining in 2021. Having scored City's most famous goal and become their record scorer, Agüero deserved to bow out in triumph, not with tears at a press conference announcing his premature retirement.

George Best - Manchester United

The Northern Irish genius, arguably United's most naturally gifted player ever, ultimately faded away without a proper farewell. Alcohol problems and personal struggles meant Best's final appearances came amid controversy and disappointment. A player who lit up Old Trafford deserved a celebration worthy of his extraordinary talent.

Gareth Bale - Real Madrid

Despite scoring crucial goals in Champions League finals and helping win five European Cups, Bale's Madrid career fizzled out amid golf jokes, recurring injuries and frustration over limited playing time. The Welshman's final season was marred by a fractured relationship with fans, ultimately leaving for free on the expiration of his contract.

Trent Alexander-Arnold - Liverpool

The Scouse full-back's Anfield farewell quickly turned sour when he was roundly booed by his own supporters after announcing he would not extend his contract with the club. Despite being a local lad who helped deliver Champions League and Premier League glory, the toxic atmosphere overshadowed what should have been a grateful goodbye to a modern Liverpool legend.

Raphael Varane - Como

The World Cup-winning defender's career petered out with Italian minnows Como, a far cry from his glory days at Real Madrid and Manchester United. After winning four Champions League titles and countless other honours, Varane's career-ending knee injury on his club debut was an underwhelming end for such a distinguished career.

Gary Neville - Manchester United

United's long-serving right-back ended his career with a whimper rather than a bang. In February 2011, after 19 years of service, winning eight Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies, Neville retired mid-season without fanfare after realising his legs had gone.

Iker Casillas - Real Madrid

The legendary goalkeeper's Madrid career ended with him losing his place to Keylor Navas and making costly errors in his final season. After 25 years at the club and five Champions League triumphs, 'San Iker' deserved to bow out as first choice, not as a fading force watching from the bench.

Diego Costa - Chelsea

The Spanish striker's Chelsea career ended in bitter controversy after a text message fallout with Antonio Conte, as reported by the BBC. Despite firing the Blues to two Premier League titles with his aggressive style and crucial goals, Costa was exiled from the squad and forced to train alone before his acrimonious departure to Atlético Madrid.

Roy Keane - Manchester United

The fiery captain's United career ended in acrimony after a bust-up with Alex Ferguson over criticism of teammates on the club's own in-house TV channel. Keane was forced out mid-season in 2005 without a proper goodbye, despite being the driving force behind seven league titles. His abrupt departure denied fans the chance to salute a true warrior.

Zinedine Zidane - France

Zidane's career ended with the most infamous headbutt in football history, earning him a red card in the 2006 World Cup final against Italy. Having previously inspired France to World Cup and European Championship glory, Zidane's moment of madness in Berlin cost his country victory, overshadowing his genius and denying him a fairytale ending.

Thiago Alcântara - Liverpool

Like his teammate Matip, Thiago surprised everyone by announcing his retirement at the end of the 2023-24 season, rather than seeking a new club. After a career spanning Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Liverpool, winning countless trophies with his silky passing, the Spanish midfielder deserved a grand farewell tour, not a quiet exit through social media.

David Beckham - Manchester United

'Golden Balls' was sold to Real Madrid in 2003, following a feud and the infamous boot incident with manager Alex Ferguson, leaving Old Trafford under a cloud despite having won six league titles and a Champions League triumph. Beckham was increasingly sidelined in his final season, robbing him of the hero's farewell his achievements merited.

Toni Kroos - Germany

The Real Madrid midfielder's career ended in devastating fashion as Germany crashed out of Euro 2024 in the quarter-finals on home soil. After winning the World Cup and four Champions League titles, Kroos deserved to bow out as a European champion, not with his nation's tournament dreams in tatters.

Marco van Basten - AC Milan

Van Basten's final competitive match (he didn't know it at the time) ended in heartbreak as Milan lost 1-0 to Marseille in the 1993 Champions League final. A brutal tackle from Basile Boli forced him off in the 86th minute and condemned him to two seasons on the sidelines before he finally decided to call it a day. After three Ballon d'Ors, he deserved better.

Diego Maradona - Napoli

The Argentinian genius left Napoli under a cloud of controversy following a positive drugs test and personal scandals. After delivering two Serie A titles and becoming a god in Naples, Maradona's departure was tainted by off-field issues rather than celebrated as the end of an era for the club's greatest-ever player.