After being left without a club for almost two years, Ramires has decided to hang up his boots.
Former Chelsea and Brazil midfielder Ramires has confirmed his retirement from football.
The 35-year-old had been a free agent since November 2020, after leaving Brazilian club Palmeiras. He officially pulled the curtain on his career in an Instagram post on Wednesday.
We were down to 10 men.
We were 2-0 down.
We were being booed with every touch.
We were down and out.Up steps Ramires, the boy from Rio De Janeiro.
History 💙
— Uber Chelsea FC ⭐️⭐️ (@UberCheIseaFC) September 28, 2022
“After some time of reflection, I would like to announce that I have decided to officially end my career as a professional football player,” Ramires wrote.
“At this point, I can only thank God first, for he has trained and led me to the highest levels that sport can offer. Thank you very much also to all the clubs I’ve passed through, Palmeiras, Chelsea, Benfica, Cruzeiro, Jiangsu and Joinville. I will always carry you and your fans in my heart.
“Gratitude also to the Brazilian national team for having provided me the pleasure of playing two World Cups, which was the realization of a dream.
“I’m thankful also to all the teammates, staff, coaches, and managers that I had the pleasure of working with.
“To my relatives, mother, children, brothers and true friends, thank you so much for being by my side unconditionally all these years, for celebrating each achievement of mine as if it were yours. You’ve always been my greatest strength and motivation.
“I’m going to go in other directions, but with the same happiness and courage, I’ve had since I was a child, when, against all expectations, I left my city in the interior of Rio de Janeiro to see the world. Thanks for everything, football!”
Ramires rose through the youth ranks at Joinville before starring for Cruzeiro. He left Brazil in 2009 to join Portuguese side Benfica, but left a year later to sign for Chelsea in a €22 million deal.
The former midfielder spent a glorious five and a half years at the Premier League club. He won every English domestic title, as well as the Champions League and Europa League, before leaving Chelsea for Chinese side Jiangsu Suning in January 2016.
Ramires plied his trade in China until July 2019, when he joined Palmeiras in what proved to be his final transfer.
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