Adel Taarabt, the 37-year-old Moroccan footballer, officially confirmed this Tuesday the end of his career as a professional player. The midfielder, who represented Benfica for seven years, made 139 appearances for the red-and-white side, leaving a legacy marked by incredible technical plays.
Taarabt announced the decision through an Instagram post, in which he stated: "I knew this day would come, the time has come to close this chapter." The player described football as a very important part of his life, which gave him incredible memories, the opportunity to meet extraordinary people, and live unforgettable moments.
In the same post, the Moroccan thanked all the clubs he played for, all the coaches, teammates, technical staff members, and fans who showed him affection throughout his career. He also referred to the clubs he had the honor of representing, specifically mentioning Lens and Sharjah, thanking them for being part of his history.
Taarabt started his career at Lens, the French club where he made his professional debut, and also represented teams such as Fulham, Milan, Queens Park Rangers, Valencia, Al Ahly, Sharjah, and Al-Nasr, before hanging up his boots at 37.
