Adel Taarabt announces retirement from football at the age of 37

Moroccan international Adel Taarabt has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 37, bringing an end to a long career filled with significant milestones in England, Italy, Portugal, and the United Arab Emirates.

Adel Taarabt began his career in France with Lens, before moving to Tottenham in 2007. After a spell with the London club, he transferred to Queens Park Rangers, where he made a name for himself as one of the standout flair players in English football, contributing to the team's promotion to the Premier League, and also winning the Championship Player of the Season award for the 2010-2011 season.

During his time with Queens Park Rangers, Taarabt had loan spells with Fulham and AC Milan before moving to SL Benfica in 2015. He also had a loan experience with Genoa and played with the Benfica reserve team.

In 2022, Taarabt moved to the United Arab Emirates from Al Nassr, before finishing his professional career with Sharjah.

On the international stage, Adel Taarabt represented the Moroccan national team and participated in several tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations 2012. He concluded his international career with 30 matches according to available records.

Throughout his career, Adel Taarabt has left a special mark thanks to his individual skills, dribbling, and ability to make a difference, despite experiencing many ups and downs.

Adel Taarabt said in his retirement announcement: "Beautiful moments, difficult moments, mistakes, and great nights... all of that was part of my journey, and I wouldn't change any of it."

Adel Taarabt has closed the chapter on a career spanning over two decades, during which he played for Lens, Tottenham, Queens Park Rangers, Fulham, AC Milan, SL Benfica, Genoa, Al-Nassr, and Sharjah, leaving behind memorable moments, especially for the fans of Queens Park Rangers, who associate his name with his most prominent footballing periods.