Well, drifting away from their favourite sport after decades of being a part of it is undoubtedly one of the toughest calls for a sportsperson as well as their fans, irrespective of the game that he or she might come from. The ongoing 2025 has witnessed numerous legendary sports players announce their official retirement and leave behind a legacy that will continue to resonate in the realms of their respective fields of sports for decades to come.
From India’s master cricketer Virat Kohli to France’s legendary tennis player Nicolas Mahut, numerous top-notch players from different sports have left their fans in utter shock after announcing their sudden retirement in 2025.
In this article we will take a look at the top four legendary sports players who have announced their retirement in 2025.
Top 4 Sports Legends Who Announced Their Retirement in 2025
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Virat Kohli, India – Cricket
After announcing his retirement from T20 International (T20I) cricket shortly after India’s victory in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup against South Africa, the legendary Indian international cricketer Virat Kohli left the fans stunned after announcing his sudden departure from the test cricket format as well on 12 May 2025 at the age of thirty-six.
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Kohli played his career’s last test match against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where he scored 17 runs. Throughout his glorious test cricket that spanned over thirteen years, Virat Kohli amassed a record total of 9,230 runs in the 123 matches that he played at a brilliant average of 46.9 and a strike rate of 55.6.
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Nicolas Mahut, France – Tennis
The French professional tennis player Nicolas Mahut, who is a former world No. 1 in doubles, is at the second spot in our list of the top four legendary sports players who have announced their retirement in 2025. The French tennis veteran, Nicolas Mahut, has already announced his official retirement from professional tennis and will play his last match at the end of the 2025 season.
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The French tennis sensation, Nicolas Mahut, made the shocking decision to retire from professional tennis during the 2025 French Open, marking his final appearance at Roland Garros. As of June 2025, Mahut has clinched a record total of four singles titles and 37 doubles titles, with five Grand Slam doubles victories and also achieved the world No. 1 doubles ranking on June 6, 2016.
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Felipe Melo, Brazil – Football
At the third spot in our list of the top four sports stars from different fields who announced their retirement in 2025, we have the Brazilian former professional footballer Felipe Melo, who played as a defensive midfielder or centre-back. The Brazilian football legend, Felipe Melo, announced his official retirement from the game on 24 January 2025 at the age of 41 after concluding his contract with Fluminense, his final club, which expired on December 31, 2024.
Throughout his star-studded football club career that spanned over two decades, Felipe Melo proved to be one of the greatest midfielders in the history of the game and played for numerous prestigious Brazilian and European football clubs.
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Matthew Wilson, Australia – Swimming
Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of the top four legendary sports players who have announced their retirement in 2025, we have the Australian professional swimmer, Matthew Wilson, who competed in the men’s 50-metre breaststroke and 200-metre breaststroke events at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships and at the 100 & 200 metre breaststroke at the 2019 World Aquatic Championships clinching a silver medal for his country.
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Additionally, Matthew Wilson also competed in the 100 and 200 metre breastroke at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Australian swimming sensation, Matthew Wilson, announced his official retirement from swimming through his Instagram post, leaving his fans in utter shock.
