Former Chelsea midfielder, Charly Musonda, has officially called time on his professional football career at just 28 years old.
Musonda, who joined Chelsea’s youth ranks in 2012 after leaving Belgian side Anderlecht, embarked on multiple loan spells throughout his career.
These included stints at Real Betis in Spain, Scottish giants Celtic, and Dutch club Vitesse.
Despite making his senior debut for Chelsea in the 2017 Community Shield against Arsenal, Musonda’s time in the first team was limited, amassing only seven appearances in total.
Most recently, he was on the books of Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta, but his contract expired at the end of last season.
Opening up to Rising Ballers, Musonda revealed the personal journey that led him to walk away from the game.
“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.
“It took some time. I have been thinking about it for the last couple of years,” Musonda continued. “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.”
