Evening Standard
·1. Juli 2025
Former Chelsea wonderkid announces retirement from football at just 28

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·1. Juli 2025
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Former Chelsea and Belgium wonderkid Charly Musonda has retired from football at just 28 years old.
Joining Chelsea from Anderlecht in 2012, the winger was hailed as a future star with immense potential, but persistent injuries ultimately derailed his career and prevented him from reaching the heights many had predicted.
A key figure in Chelsea’s successful youth sides, the winger played a pivotal role in back-to-back FA Youth Cup wins in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons as well as the UEFA Youth League in 2015.
He later made seven first-team appearances for the Blues, alongside loan spells at Real Betis, Celtic and Vitesse.
The winger eventually left Chelsea in 2022 for Spanish side Levante, and then moved on to Cypriot outfit Anorthis a year later.
Musonda left Anorthis at the end of the 2023-24 season and was without a club for the 2024-25 season.
As well as no senior caps for the Belgium national side, Musonda has confirmed his retirement and desire to focus on other ventures.
“It took some time. I have been thinking about it for the last couple of years,” Musonda told Rising Ballers. “Purely because of my own experiences and who I am as a person.
“I want to be doing things with purpose. I want to inspire and motivate people. I want to create opportunities. I am starting something new that will hopefully help players.
“Today, I have made a decision. It is a decision I have been wrestling with for a long time, but I am going to retire from professional football. It is not an easy decision, but I am building up towards the next stage now.
”I will still be involved in football. In roles to help players express themselves and giving them an opportunity to showcase how good they are.
“I’m still young but I want to help players who don’t have the chance to showcase their talent.
“I know how it feels and with football changing so much, many players never get the opportunity to show what they can do, I want to make a difference.”