When Joel Matip hobbled off the pitch at Anfield during a match against Fulham last December, many feared the worst for what seemed like a minor injury. Little did anyone know that this would be the last time the beloved Liverpool defender would play professional football.
At 33, after failing to recover from a cruciate ligament tear that abruptly ended his comeback last season.
This marks an early end to a career that saw him become a key figure in 's successful era under Jurgen Klopp, after seven years with Bundesliga side Schalke.
In fact, Matip was one of Klopp's first signings; the German manager persuaded him to move to Anfield when his contract with Schalke expired the following summer. Only James Milner could possibly rival Matip as the best free transfer in Liverpool's history, especially considering the major trophies he helped the club win.
He played a crucial role in getting Liverpool back into the Champions League in his first season, but a hamstring issue in 2017/18 prematurely ended his campaign and ruled him out of the European Cup final defeat to Real Madrid.
It took Matip nearly three years to notch his first assist for Liverpool, but it was certainly worth the wait - setting up Divock Origi to secure a 2-0 Champions League final victory over Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid in June 2019. This marked the beginning of five trophy wins for the center-back.
He featured in the UEFA Super Cup triumph over Chelsea in August 2019, before a knee injury sidelined him for several months, ruling him out of the successful Club World Cup tournament. An ankle injury later cut his season short, but he had made enough appearances to earn a Premier League winners' medal.
The following season was also prematurely ended, but the 2021/22 campaign saw him make a personal record of 43 appearances for Liverpool. He started in the League Cup final win over Chelsea and came off the bench in the FA Cup final victory over the same team a few months later.
While known for his elegant defending, Matip also gained recognition for his adventurous runs from the backline into midfield and beyond. This was most notable when he ventured all the way into the Leeds United penalty area at Anfield in February 2022 to score a memorable goal.
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Matip, the former Cameroon international, was a beloved figure both on and off the pitch. His popularity among his teammates and fans alike was evident, with his cult status being reinforced by the No Context Joel Matip social media accounts.
When Liverpool paid tribute to Matip on Instagram, Virgil van Dijk, his long-time center-back partner and close friend, was quick to respond with a heart emoji. Despite his reputation for being injury-prone, Matip only missed 13 games in two-and-a-half seasons before his final setback just before Christmas.
The emotional send-off he received from his teammates and the Anfield crowd when he left on a free transfer at the end of last season is a testament to the respect and affection he commands. Matip has since returned to Gelsenkirchen in Germany and has been coaching the youth team at local club SSV Buer, where his son plays.
Having obtained his UEFA B coaching license while at Liverpool and hosted a coaching session for members of the Robbie Fowler Academy last year, it's clear that this isn't the last we'll see of Matip in football. However, his retirement does mark the end of another chapter in Klopp's Liverpool era.
