Fabio Cannavaro to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Cannavaro fans. Speculation had been rife that Ballon d’Or winner of 2006 is about to announce his retirement from sports, at age 52, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 19/08/2026 : 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-coach 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.

#ThankYouFabio

For a little while on Tuesday evening, #ThankYouFabio 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.

“Fabio Cannavaro was unlike any other footballer we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouFabio”
— @universalObserver, 18 Aug 2026

“Didn't Fabio Cannavaro retire about 3 years ago?”
— @samy2love, 18 Aug 2026

© 2026 MediaMass All rights reserved. Do not reproduce (even with permission).

Celebrity Central