Samir Nasri announces retirement from football at 34

Former Arsenal and Manchester City star, Samir Nasri has pulled the curtains on his footballing career at the age of 34.

Announcing the player’s retirement, French publication L’Equipe tweeted: ‘Without a club since 2020, Samir Nasri has announced his retirement in the columns of the Sunday newspaper, aged 34.’

Nasri won two Premier League titles, in 2011-12 under Roberto Mancini and 2013-14 under Manuel Pellegrini, at the Etihad Stadium – playing 46 times in all competitions in both seasons.

The French midfielder last played for Belgian side Anderlecht, before he was released in 2020.

Nasri, claimed that his 18-month doping ban as a major reason for quitting the sport.

He said: ‘One episode hurt me badly and changed my relationship with football: my suspension.

‘I found that more than unfair, I had not taken any doping product. It was just an injection of vitamins because I was sick. It stopped me in my tracks.’

Nasri began his football career playing for local youth clubs in his hometown Marseille. In the 2004–05 season, he made his professional debut in September 2004 at age 17 against Sochaux.

In June 2008, Nasri joined Premier League club Arsenal on a four-year contract. He reached prominence with the team in his third season winning the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Fans’ Player of the Month award on three occasions and being named to the association’s Team of the Year.

In August 2011, after three seasons with Arsenal, Nasri joined Manchester City on a four-year contract. In his first season with the club, he won his first major honour as a player as the club won the 2011–12 Premier League.