Retirement news — SportsCatch

Micah Richards sets 2034 deadline to quit punditry as Shearer commits to BBC role

Micah Richards has announced he will step away from all mainstream media after the 2034 World Cup to pursue community work in his hometown of Chapeltown, Leeds. His BBC colleague Alan Shearer, meanwhile, has made clear he has no plans to leave his punditry role.

Football Jul 15

Retired and unbeaten, Khabib claims his wrestling is sharper now than during his UFC title reign

Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired undefeated as UFC lightweight champion in 2020, says his grappling has improved dramatically since then and that he had not yet reached his prime when he walked away from the sport.

MMA Jul 15

Franck Leboeuf elevated to Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour for his charitable work

1998 World Cup champion Franck Leboeuf has been elevated to Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour in the July 14, 2026 promotion, in recognition of his role as ambassador for the Bleuet de France association.

Football Jul 14

Bilic's return to Croatia could convince Modric to extend international career

Luka Modric was planning to retire from international football after the 2026 World Cup, but Slaven Bilic's return as Croatia's head coach — a man he has worked with before — could change his mind, according to Spanish newspaper AS.

Football Jul 14

Retired Poirier would end hiatus to face McGregor in welterweight bout IV

Dustin Poirier says he would come out of retirement to fight Conor McGregor for a fourth time, and is open to moving up to welterweight at 170 lbs. McGregor is recovering from a knee injury suffered in his first-round stoppage loss to Max Holloway at UFC 329.

MMA Jul 14

Messi faces England for first time as Waddle predicts 2026 World Cup will be his last

Lionel Messi meets England in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final — a fixture that former winger Chris Waddle believes will be the 39-year-old's final appearance at a World Cup, with the Argentina captain chasing back-to-back titles.

Football Jul 13

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

Micah Richards has revealed he intends to leave all mainstream broadcasting by the time he turns 46, stepping away from the BBC, Sky Sports and CBS Sports after the 2034 World Cup to focus on grassroots community work.

Football Jul 13

Pimblett reveals retirement fears before UFC 329 — then Gaethje's upset reignited him

Paddy Pimblett admits he considered quitting MMA if he lost to Benoit St. Denis at UFC 329, but Justin Gaethje's shock lightweight title win over Ilia Topuria two days later gave him the spark he needed to secure a first-round submission.

MMA Jul 13

De Bruyne and Courtois cast doubt over Belgium futures after World Cup exit to Spain

Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois have both stopped short of committing to Belgium after a 2-1 World Cup elimination by Spain. De Bruyne, 35, wants a break following hamstring surgery, while Courtois may retire internationally if the federation rejects his request for a Nations League sabbatical.

Football Jul 13

Antonio Rattín, whose 1966 World Cup defiance sparked red and yellow cards, dies at 89

Argentine football legend Antonio Rattín has died at 89. The former Boca Juniors captain's infamous dismissal at the 1966 World Cup quarterfinal against England directly led FIFA to introduce the red and yellow card system still used today.

Football Jul 12

South Africa midfielder Jayden Adams dies aged 25 days after World Cup

Jayden Adams, who represented South Africa in all three of their 2026 World Cup group stage matches, has died aged 25. The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder passed away on Saturday, prompting tributes from across the football world.

Football Jul 11

Alonso admits he has 'no idea' what comes next when he eventually leaves F1

Fernando Alonso says he has made no plans for life after Formula 1, with the 44-year-old Aston Martin driver still undecided on his future ahead of an expected announcement around the summer break.

Formula 1 Jul 10

Sadio Mané's international retirement with Senegal was an AI-generated hoax

Multiple media outlets reported Friday an international retirement announcement from Sadio Mané following Senegal's elimination by Belgium at the 2026 World Cup. It was fake news produced by artificial intelligence, debunked by journalist Malang Sané of Sport News Africa.

Football Jul 10

Sadio Mané announces international retirement after Senegal's World Cup elimination

With 54 goals in 130 caps, Sadio Mané announced Thursday his international retirement following Senegal's 2-3 defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Al Nasser forward does not rule out returning one day as head coach.

Football Jul 10

Adesanya splits from City Kickboxing after four straight losses seeking fresh start

Israel Adesanya has parted ways with Auckland's City Kickboxing, the gym that shaped his career since 2009. The former UFC middleweight champion announced the split on May 20, citing a need for personalised, individual coaching after four consecutive defeats.

MMA Jul 10

Retired Lioness Jill Scott urges under-16 social media ban: 'Swap screens for sport'

Former England midfielder Jill Scott, who earned 161 caps across an 18-year career, has backed government plans to ban social media platforms from offering services to under-16s, arguing that sport provides the human connection and mental health benefits that endless scrolling cannot.

Football Jul 9

Pato O'Ward walks away from Formula 1 ambitions to commit fully to IndyCar

Arrow McLaren IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward has declared he is no longer interested in a Formula 1 reserve role, saying he has asked to be released from all F1 obligations and is fully focused on IndyCar, where he is contracted through at least 2027.

Formula 1 Jul 9

Neymar weighs full retirement within days after Brazil's World Cup exit to Norway

Neymar has confirmed he is retiring from international football after Brazil were eliminated in the last 16 by an Erling Haaland-inspired Norway at the World Cup. Reports in Brazil now suggest the 34-year-old is also considering ending his club career entirely.

Football Jul 8

Schmeichel warns Ronaldo facing 'really difficult' reality after Portugal's World Cup exit

Kasper Schmeichel says Cristiano Ronaldo will struggle to accept the end of his international career after Portugal were eliminated by Spain in the 2026 World Cup round of 16. The 41-year-old hinted this was his final World Cup but has not committed to full retirement.

Football Jul 8

Poirier open to UFC return for McGregor fourth fight or long-awaited Diaz bout

Dustin Poirier, who retired after a loss to Max Holloway last year, says he remains under UFC contract and would end his retirement for the right opponent — naming Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz as the fights that could lure him back.

MMA Jul 7