Former Italy Striker Ciro Immobile Retires from Football After 17-Year Career
In a significant turn of events in the world of football, former Italy and Lazio striker Ciro Immobile has officially announced his retirement from professional football as confirmed by his current club, Paris FC. Immobile, who has spent the last 17 years in the sport, expressed a desire to dedicate more time to his family and loved ones following his departure from the game.
At 36 years of age, Immobile joined Paris FC in February from Bologna, where he played 12 matches in Ligue 1, contributing two goals to his team’s efforts. His illustrious career spans across multiple clubs, totaling an impressive 306 goals in 599 club appearances across all competitions, in addition to scoring 17 goals in 57 caps for the Italian national team.
One of the highlights of Immobile’s career was being part of Italy’s victorious squad at Euro 2020, where he played a crucial role, scoring two vital goals during the tournament. This memorable tournament concluded triumphantly with a victory against England at Wembley in July 2021, notably delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Immobile’s tenure at Lazio proved to be particularly fruitful, where he emerged as the club’s all-time leading goal scorer with an impressive tally of 207 goals in 340 appearances. His successful time at the club included lifting the Coppa Italia and two Italian Super Cups, further solidifying his status in the annals of Lazio history.
In 2020, Immobile’s prowess on the field earned him the prestigious European Golden Shoe, as he matched Gonzalo Higuain’s single-season record of 36 goals in Serie A. Furthermore, he was recognized as Serie A’s leading scorer on four occasions, underscoring his consistent performance throughout his career.
Beyond his celebrated stints in Italy, Immobile also played for various clubs, including Juventus, Pescara, Genoa, and Torino, as well as abroad with Borussia Dortmund in Germany, Sevilla in Spain, and Turkish club Besiktas. His versatility and ability to perform at high levels across different leagues speak to his exceptional talent and dedication to the sport.
