Liverpool Champions League winner retires at age 31

Divock Origi has announced his retirement from football.

“My purpose in the game is fulfilled,” Origi wrote on X.

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“I lived out my childhood dreams, played on the biggest stages, won the biggest trophies. Grateful to God for all of it.

“To all my fans, the clubs, my teammates and my family: this will forever be ours. Thank you.

“The mission is complete. Now I step into my next calling. More of the journey to come.”

When did Origi last play a match?

The 31-year-old’s decision comes nearly 780 days after his last professional appearance, which came in the form of a 10-minute cameo while on loan at Nottingham Forest in a 2-0 loss away to Everton on April 21, 2024.

Origi then went the entire 2024/25 campaign without playing a single game for AC Milan due to tax reasons.

He eventually departed the Rossoneri last December, six months before his contract officially ended.

It brought an end to a forgettable stint with the Italian giants, who he joined in the summer of 2022 as a free agent after leaving Liverpool.

Origi made just 36 appearances and scored only two goals, despite signing a four-year deal with Milan.

Why did Liverpool fans love Origi?

Origi remains a cult hero among the Anfield faithful, especially because of his exploits in their triumphant 2018/19 Champions League campaign.

The Belgian was the man who netted twice, one of which was the winning goal, in the Reds’ thrilling semi-final comeback against Barcelona.

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Origi also got on the scoresheet in the Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur, ending Liverpool’s 14-year wait to win Europe’s most prized club tournament.

In total, Origi left Liverpool having scored 41 goals in 175 appearances across all competitions.

The forward also steps away from the game with a sizeable trophy cabinet, all of which were won during his time at Anfield.

Origi won the Premier League, the FA Cup, the League Cup, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.

At international level, Origi won 32 caps for Belgium and scored three goals.

Five of his appearances for the Red Devils came at the 2014 World Cup as Marc Wilmots’ side made it to the quarter-finals.

Origi last turned out for Belgium on March 29 in 2022 during a 3-0 win over Burkina Faso.