Kasper Schmeichel gives an emotional interview announcing he’s been forced to retire, an end to his playing career.
The 39 year old made a total of 937 appearances, 120 caps for Denmark, and played for the likes of Estoril (youth), Oure (youth), Man City, Darlington, Bury, Falkirk, Cardiff, Coventry, Notts County, Leeds, Leicester City, Nice, Anderlecht and Celtic.
He’s won the English Premier League, FA Cup, FA Community Shields, EFL Championship, EFL League Two, Scottish Premiership (x2) and the Scottish League Cup.
His individual awards include Danish Football Player of the Year (x3), Danish Football Association’s Award, EFL Team of the Decade, PFA Team of the Year (x3), PFA Fans’ Player of the Year, EFL League Two Golden Glove, Leicester City Player of the Season (x2), Leicester City Player’s Player of the Season (x2), Leicester City Supporters’ Club Player of the Season and the PFA Scotland Team of the Year (Premiership).
Photo Credit: TV 2 Sports
He told Danish outlet TV 2 Sport: “When my contract with Celtic expires in June, I will stop my active football career.
“It is a decision that has been made for me.
“I have consulted various surgeons and experts in relation to my shoulder, and they have told me that I should not expect to return to playing top football.
“I have given myself a lot of though but I believe that now is the right time.
“I didn’t realize how bad it was in March. It’s been a long process. When landed on it in February, I could tell it was completely crazy.
“I have travelled around and had some assessments and investigated what can be done and what the options are.
“Here the report has been that there has not been much that could be done, and the conversation has instead been about what kind of life want to live afterwards.
“Will I be able to raise my children? Will I be able to go out and have an active life?
“The dream and hope was that I would go back and play football again, and that I would have to have surgery and be able to fight my way back, but I also want to be able to perform at a level, and that would be very difficult, was the assessment.
“It’s hard to find specific moments in the more than 900 games I’ve played.
“Of course, it was huge to become champion with Leicester, but one of the biggest things was always getting the chance to play here.
“Getting the chance to play for Denmark in the finals, to captain Denmark in the finals.
“That’s what I dreamed about as a child.
“Those are probably the things that stand out the most to me.”
He took to Instagram, writing: “Dear all,
“These are some of the hardest words I have ever had to write, but I’m writing them to say thank you directly to all of you who have followed and supported me throughout my career.
“A shoulder injury is forcing me to end my playing career when my contract with Celtic expires this summer.
“I’ve been told by my doctors that the chances of me ever playing football again at the highest level are now extremely small.
“I’ve been a footballer since the day I was born.
“Accepting that my body may no longer allow me to do the thing I have loved more than anything is one of the hardest moments of my life.
“I love football. The everyday life inside clubs. The dressing room. The hard work. The pressure. The feeling of walking onto the pitch on the biggest stage, fighting for trophies with your teammates beside you. Nothing will ever replace that feeling.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to experience unforgettable moments throughout my career, including league titles and cup victories in both England and Scotland.
“Ten years ago, we won the Premier League with Leicester City.
“A miracle for the entire football world, and something I don’t think any of us who lived it will ever truly be able to explain.
“Over the last two seasons, we won four trophies with Celtic.
“I’m proud of every medal, every experience, and the honour of being part of such an incredible club’s history. The roar. The songs. The passion from the stands. Those are things I will carry with me forever.
“Representing Denmark was truly something special. It was my childhood dream to play for my country. To captain Denmark at a World Cup and a European Championship will always be the greatest honour of my career.
“For me, football was never just a job. It was something I was willing to sacrifice everything for. I never wanted my career to end because I couldn’t fight anymore.
“Unfortunately, the injury has made that decision for me.
“I grew up in a different era, where you idolised players who fought for everything and never gave up. That mentality shaped my entire career.
“Ever since this injury happened, I believed that if there was even the smallest chance I could keep going, then I had to try.
“Now I have tried everything.
“As I said, I’ve been a footballer since the day I was born.
“Accepting that it may be over is still something I’m trying to come to terms with.
“But despite the pain of this moment, I’m filled with enormous pride and gratitude for what football has given me. The memories. The friendships. The experiences. The purpose.
“Thank you to every teammate I have shared a dressing room with.
“To every coach and goalkeeping coach who believed in me.
“To every member of the medical staffs and all the incredible people working behind the scenes at football clubs who make the everyday possible and the special moments unforgettable.
“Thank you to Manchester City, Darlington, Bury, Falkirk, Cardiff, Coventry, Notts County, Leeds, Leicester City, Nice, Anderlecht and finally Celtic.
“Every single club shaped me into both the player and the person I became, and I will always be proud to have represented them.
“But most of all, thank you to the fans. For the support. For the passion. For believing in me through every high and every low.
“It has meant more than words can ever explain. From the bottom of my heart: Thank you.”
Social media users gave their reaction after Kasper Schmeichel gives an emotional interview announcing he’s been forced to retire…
@Kev_OC66: He had a great career. Very rare for a 2nd generation footballer, even rarer for a 2nd generation goalkeeper.
@jason_harding87: Officially old, seen Peter and now Kasper retire 👨🦳👨🦳
@psd107: To be able to do what your very successful father did is almost unheard of. What a career!
