When is the right age to retire?

Cut right to the chase

Striker: 33 is a max for me if you are a Ronaldo (R9) or Shevchenko. You cannot depend on your fatigue, speed anymore

SS: They can eventually retire when they're 36+ (Totti, Del Piero)

MF: 35 if they are Riquelme like (slow but technichal), 34 if Camoranesi like

Defenders: 35, slow but experienced

I personally don't think there is a 'right' age.

Every player is different, some can play on and still perform at a high level (Sheringham) others should have retired a long time ago (Rasiak!)

i agree with sparky.

I do hate when players hang around even though they should have retired. Like Andy Cole!

Keepers can on for a long time. And Sheringham proved you can play over 36 , if you keep yourself fit and healthy. For me If your still good enough then play on until you feel the time is right to retire.

I reckon therer is no right time, a player can play on for as long as they like, as long as the keep themselves fit and healthy and dont lose too much of their talent.

Andy cole really should have retired years ago though!

i suppose it kind of depends on their position.. a goalkeeper can still play well after 33++

and sometimes a player just decides to retire after suffering from long injury..

Agree with most. Depends on your fitness and health. Depends on the individual

there should be no age limit that's ridiculous.
It all depends on the individual ,not everyone is the same ,not everyone treats their bodies the same way.If you look at Thuram who has played top level for ever it seems and was still one of the top clubs in europes best defenders.You look at david james written off by untold teams and is the best keeper in the best league in the world.kanu even though more of a bit part player,the little time he can play for he is quite dominant and was leading all scorers for a time in the prem.So i don't think there is a good time to retire, people are taking care of their bodies better today than before and the length of a career is stretching all the time.I don't se david james retiring anytime soon based on his last two season's.

Exactly right.

I was just reading on BBC about 40 year old Falkirk player Russell Lapaty who says he is enjoying his football more than ever hasn't even entertained the thought of retiring.

specnur is right for once.

whenever the player feels the time is right

There is no right age but very few can sustain top-level performance into their thirties and should drop a league or two if they wish to continue their careers. The trick is to keep fit and maintain focus (Gazza and Ronaldo couldn't and Ronaldinho's showing signs). Lot's of the AC Milan players are at an age where they should be considered over the hill but still play week in and week out. Del Piero's still going like clockwork - as are Maldini, Cannavaro and Nesta among others. Dwight York and Andy Cole are still around which is downright astounding.

If I was a footballer I would prefer to go out at the top rather than drop
down the divisions and play for a lower league team like many players do now....

Roger Milla the Cameroon striker just came into my mind who played
at the world cup when he was about 45 although he never gave his real age I dont think!

Its a difficult balancing act, especially if its a player that has had a great career. Because these types of players are respected so much by the club they fear to let the player know it's time.

I think it depends on the condition and health situation of the player.