Freddie Ljungberg to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Ljungberg fans. Speculation had been rife that the Swedish footballer will announce his retirement from sports, at age 49, 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.

#ThankYouFreddie

For a little while on Tuesday evening, #ThankYouFreddie 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 #ThankYouFreddie.”
— @DesireePlum, 18 Aug 2026

“I thought Freddie Ljungberg retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 18 Aug 2026

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