Belgian forward Divock Origi has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 31, bringing an end to a career highlighted by a memorable Champions League final goal for Liverpool. The announcement came via an Instagram post on Monday, with Origi stating his dream as a player had been fulfilled, having played on major stages and won significant trophies.
Origi’s last competitive appearance came on April 21, 2024, while playing for Nottingham Forest, a spell that proved largely unsuccessful with just one goal in 22 matches. Prior to that, he spent the 2022-23 season with AC Milan, featuring in 36 games, but struggled with muscle injuries in subsequent seasons, limiting him to 57 appearances across three years between 2020 and 2024.
The striker rose to prominence with a pivotal goal for Belgium at the 2014 World Cup against Russia, a moment he reflected on in a recent article for The Player’s Tribune. He then secured a move to Liverpool, where he became a cult hero, particularly for his contribution to their 2019 Champions League triumph, scoring the second goal in the final against Tottenham Hotspur. A difficult period followed, including the loss of his grandmother during his time at Lille, which he channeled into a hat-trick as a form of solace.
Origi’s contract with AC Milan was set to expire in January 2026, but he has chosen to end his playing career prematurely. While his recent form had dipped, his iconic status at Liverpool and his impact in major tournaments will be remembered. The forward’s decision marks the end of a career that, despite its physical challenges in later years, achieved significant success at the highest level of the game.
