Micah Richards plans to quit TV punditry before the 2034 World Cup to give back to grassroots football

Micah Richards has set a firm deadline on his television career, telling The Telegraph he will walk away from all mainstream broadcasting after the 2034 World Cup — before he turns 46.

The 38-year-old has become one of football’s most recognisable pundits since retiring as a player in 2019, building a reputation across the BBC, Sky Sports and CBS Sports for his infectious personality and natural chemistry with fellow broadcasters. He also co-hosts The Rest Is Football podcast alongside Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, with Netflix paying a reported £14 million to stream the show during this summer’s FIFA World Cup in North America.

Despite the commercial success of his second career, Richards insists the plan to step back is genuine. “I’ll be out of all this by the time I turn 46,” he said. “You won’t see me on any mainstream media beyond the 2034 World Cup. That will be the last time I am on the BBC or Sky or CBS. I’ve told them all this and they think I’m joking. I’m not.”

Richards says his motivation is rooted in where he came from. The former Manchester City and England defender grew up in Chapeltown, Leeds, and wants to direct his energy towards helping young people in communities like his own once he leaves broadcasting behind.

“I’ve given so much of my life to football since leaving school at 14, but when the time comes, I want to make a difference to people’s lives at a grassroots level — to help those who need it most, especially young people,” he said. “I come from Chapeltown in Leeds. It’s an area where there is so much talent, but a shortage of opportunity. I want to give something back.”

Richards was candid about wanting his eventual community work to go beyond the ceremonial. “You see a lot of ex-footballers putting their names to foundations, which is great, but I want to do something more than giving money to charity or showing my face at an event once a year,” he said.

The former defender has built considerable wealth since his playing days. His estimated net worth stands at around £37 million according to Football FanCast, combining his playing earnings with a lucrative broadcasting career. BBC figures from 2021/22 showed he earned approximately £200,000 that year for his work on Match of the Day, though his salaries from Sky Sports and CBS Sports have not been made public.