Former Chelsea midfielder Charly Musonda has officially ended his professional football career at the age of 28.
Musonda joined Chelsea’s youth academy in 2012 after departing Belgian club Anderlecht and spent much of his career on loan at various clubs.
His loan spells included time at Spain’s Real Betis, Scottish giants Celtic, and Dutch side Vitesse.
Although Musonda made his senior debut for Chelsea in the 2017 Community Shield against Arsenal, his opportunities in the first team were limited, totaling only seven appearances for the club.
Most recently, he was signed to Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta, but his contract expired at the conclusion of last season.
In an interview with Rising Ballers, Musonda opened up about his decision to retire and the personal reflection behind it.
“After reflecting on my experiences and who I am, I’ve realised I want to live with purpose to inspire and motivate others,” he said.
Musonda continued, “It took some time. I have been thinking about it for the last couple of years. Purely because of my own experiences and who I am as a person.
“I want to be doing things with purpose. I want to inspire and motivate people. I want to create opportunities. I am starting something new that will hopefully help players.
“Today, I have made a decision. It is a decision I have been wrestling with for a long time, but I am going to retire from professional football. It is not an easy decision, but I am building up towards the next stage now.
“I will still be involved in football. In roles to help players express themselves and giving them an opportunity to showcase how good they are.
“I’m still young but I want to help players who don’t have the chance to showcase their talent.
“I know how it feels and with football changing so much, many players never get the opportunity to show what they can do, I want to make a difference.”
