The Belgian giant, who was known for his towering presence and distinctive hairstyle, has decided to call it a day at the age of 36. Marouane Fellaini, who played for Manchester United, Everton, and Shandong Luneng, announced his retirement from football on Saturday.
Fellaini was a versatile midfielder who could play as a defensive shield, a box-to-box runner, or a target man. He scored 22 goals in 177 appearances for Manchester United, winning the FA Cup, the League Cup, and the Europa League. He also played a key role in Belgium’s third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup, scoring the equalizer against Japan in the round of 16.
Fellaini joined Chinese club Shandong Luneng in 2019 and made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut. He helped the team win the Chinese FA Cup in 2020 and was named in the Chinese Super League Team of the Year. He ended his career with 18 goals in 58 games for Shandong Luneng.
Fellaini expressed his gratitude to his former clubs, teammates, coaches, and fans in a heartfelt statement. He said he was proud of his achievements and happy to have played with some of the best players in the world. He also thanked his family and friends for their support and said he was looking forward to the next chapter of his life.
