Kevin Gameiro Announces Retirement After Stellar Career

French footballer Kevin Gameiro officially announced his retirement from professional football on March 16, 2025, during an interview on beIN Sports. After nearly 20 seasons of playing at the highest level, Gameiro, who turns 38 this upcoming May, cited the lack of recent play as the main reason behind his decision.

"It’s been six to eight months since I last played football, and you have to make a decision," he told the network. "I was lucky to have had a very good career. I would never have imagined it being very little. It’s the end of an adventure and a new life starting." This marks the conclusion of the remarkable career of the former French international, who earned 13 caps and scored 3 goals for his country.

Gameiro, born on May 9, 1987, in Senlis, began his professional career at RC Strasbourg, making his debut on December 14, 2005. He quickly made his mark by scoring his first goal during his first start against Étoile Rouge de Belgrade, helping Strasbourg earn a draw.

His early career, unfortunately, faced setbacks, including a serious cruciate ligament injury just two months after his debut, which sidelined him for months. Despite this, Gameiro rebounded successfully and made significant contributions during his following seasons.

From 2008 to 2011, he played for FC Lorient, where he solidified his reputation as a promising striker. His standout performance came during the 2009-2010 season when he finished second among Ligue 1 top scorers with 17 goals. Following this success, he joined the ambitious Paris Saint-Germain on June 12, 2011, where he won the Ligue 1 title during the 2012-2013 season.

Gameiro's true breakout moment occurred when he took his talents to Spain, joining FC Séville. Over three seasons, he won three consecutive UEFA Europa League titles (2014, 2015, and 2016), showcasing his prowess as one of Europe’s top forwards. His remarkable performance included pivotal goals, with his highlight being the decisive goal against Liverpool in the final on May 18, 2016.

After his successful stint at Sevilla, the striker moved to Atlético Madrid for around €23 million, where he added another Europa League title to his trophy cabinet during the 2017-2018 season, defeating Olympique de Marseille 3-0.

Kevin Gameiro later transitioned to Valencia, where he played from 2018 to 2021 and contributed to their Copa del Rey victory against FC Barcelona on May 25, 2019. He returned to his roots at RC Strasbourg on July 18, 2021, where he played until his recent retirement, netting 25 goals during his final three seasons.

Reflecting on his career, Gameiro expressed pride, saying, "I had the chance to discover the Spanish Championship, which allowed me to show all my qualities. When you have the chance to play in Spain, it’s wonderful." This last club experience not only sealed his loyalty to Strasbourg, where it all began, but also marked his contribution to the club's solid performances, including scoring his 100th goal in Ligue 1 against FC Nantes on March 17, 2024.

Over his illustrious career, Gameiro amassed 241 career goals, leaving behind an impressive record and legacy. His final decision to hang up his boots marks the end of not just his playing days, but also the closing chapter of one of the most notable careers of modern French football.

Looking toward the future, Gameiro seems poised to explore new ventures beyond the pitch, expressing feelings of fulfillment and readiness for the next phase of life, stating, "It’s the end of an adventure and a new life starting." He leaves the football world not just as a player but as one respected for his contributions and excellence on and off the field.