Danish Footballer Simon Kjaer Announces Retirement After 132 International Matches
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Synopsis
Danish footballer Simon Kjaer has announced his retirement at the age of 35 after earning 132 caps for the national team. His career included stints at clubs like AC Milan, where he won the Scudetto in 2022, and notable leadership during a critical moment in a European Championship match.
Key Takeaways
- Kjaer retires after 132 national caps.
- He played for notable clubs including AC Milan.
- He was instrumental during Eriksen's medical emergency.
- Kjaer received the UEFA President's Award.
- He began playing football at age four.
Copenhagen (Denmark), Jan 14 (NationPress) Danish football star Simon Kjaer has announced his retirement from professional football during an interview on Monday, concluding an impressive international career with 132 caps for the national team. Kjaer, who began his football journey at FC Midtjylland, played for clubs such as Palermo, Roma, and Sevilla, before joining AC Milan in 2020 and playing a pivotal role in their Scudetto victory in 2022.
Making his debut for the Danish national team in 2009, Kjaer participated in six international tournaments, including three World Cups and three European Championships, as reported by Xinhua.
At 35 years old, Kjaer has been without a club since his contract with AC Milan lapsed last summer. Although the full interview will be published later this week, it was revealed that he has been contemplating this decision for quite some time.
While his career may not have been filled with accolades, Kjaer garnered immense respect following a remarkable incident during a European Championship match between Denmark and Finland in 2021. When Christian Eriksen suddenly collapsed, Kjaer was the first to respond, assessing Eriksen's condition and directing his teammates to provide cover for medical assistance. This occurred during their Euro 2020 opener against Finland, where Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest.
In recognition of his actions, Kjaer, alongside the medical team that assisted Eriksen, received the UEFA President's Award.
Born on March 26, 1989, in Horsens, Denmark, Simon Thorup Kjaer was honored as the Danish under-19 Talent of the Year in 2007 and the Danish Talent of the Year in 2009. He has played a total of 132 matches for Denmark, including appearances in the FIFA World Cup in 2010, 2018, and 2022, as well as the UEFA European Championship in 2012, 2020, and 2024.
Kjaer's football journey began at the age of four when he joined a local club, Lund IF, near Horsens. He later progressed to the youth team of FC Midtjylland in 2004, where his father, Jorn Kjaer, worked as the club's equipment manager.
His career then led him to Palermo, Roma, and Sevilla, ultimately concluding at AC Milan.
