Raul Meireles to announce shock retirement?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • Lisbon
  • Last updated on

Meireles created a stir on Sunday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.
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Sad news for Meireles fans. Speculation had been rife that the Portuguese footballer is about to announce his retirement from sports, at age 43, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 16/03/2026 : 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.

#ThankYouRaul

For a little while on Sunday evening, #ThankYouRaul 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.

“Raul Meireles was unlike any other footballer we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouRaul”
— @universalObserver, 15 Mar 2026
“I thought Raul Meireles retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 15 Mar 2026

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