Fabien Barthez to announce shock retirement?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • Paris
  • Last updated on

former French National Team goalkeeper created a stir on Saturday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.

Sad news for Barthez fans. Speculation had been rife that former French National Team goalkeeper will announce his retirement from sports, at age 54, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 11/01/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a footballer isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a footballer just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouFabien

For a little while on Saturday evening, #ThankYouFabien was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouFabien.”
— @DesireePlum, 10 Jan 2026
“I thought Fabien Barthez retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 10 Jan 2026

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