Felipe Melo has ended his football career at the age of 41 by hanging up his boots for good.
The Brazilian midfielder announced his retirement from football through a post on social media, where he thanked everyone who crossed his path during his long career as a footballer.
"Today I am ending one of the most important chapters of my life - my football career. They were incredible years, full of battles and victories, but above all, they were years during which I saw God's purposes being fulfilled in every step I took. Everything I experience was guided by His hand, I am eternally grateful for the privilege of being able to do what I love."
"My strength has always come from faith, love and God's mercy. In the most difficult moments he was by my side lifting me up and in moments of glory he reminded me to be grateful. I thank all the clubs where I had the pleasure of playing, the fans who were my fuel, my teammates, all the people who marked this path and the family who believed in me. But above all, I thank God for giving me the gift, the courage and the opportunity to experience it all."
"Now I enter the next chapter with faith, because I know that He will continue to guide me. Thank you to everyone who was part of this story. Thank you, Jesus, for being part of my life. Never stop dreaming great things, because He makes them come true!" Melo wrote on Instagram.
He was a controversial footballer
Melo began his career in 2001 at Flamengo and in the following years played for Cruzeiro, Gremio, Mallorca, Racing, Almeria, Fiorentina, Juventus, Galatasaray, Inter, Palmeiras and Fluminense, which was his last club.
He played the most matches for Palmeiras (217), Galatasaray (154), Fluminense (108) and Juventus (78). He won 16 club trophies and made 22 appearances for Brazil.
The Brazilian was an aggressive and controversial footballer. For example, in 2018, he almost broke the leg of his rival Marcos Caceres, there was speculation that he might become a boxer, he called Kylian Mbappe an idiot and in the final of the 2023 Club World Cup he clashed with Manchester City players. /Telegraph/
