Former Inter youth talent Vanheusden announces retirement at age 26 | OneFootball

Former Inter youth player Zinho Vanheusden was considered one of the brightest talents in their academy, but today he announced his retirement at age 26.

The central defender started out at Standard Liege and was picked up by the Inter youth system in 2015, just days after his 16th birthday.

He was widely expected to flourish into a key figure for the senior squad, but his progress was halted by a series of devastating injuries.

There were loans to Standard Liege, Genoa, AZ Alkmaar and KV Mechelen until he finally left Inter for good in June 2025.

Coming to Marbella FC as a free agent in the summer saw Vanheusden make seven appearances this season, but yet another setback proved the final straw.

Vanheusden announces retirement at age 26

GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 10: Zinho Vanheusden of Genoa lies on the pitch after suffering an injury during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and UC Sampdoria at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on December 10, 2021 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Getty Images)

“Today I am making a decision I never thought I would have to make at this age. After 22 years of soccer — from my fourth year until now — my life as a professional soccer player is coming to an end,” announced Vanheusden on Instagram.

“Football made me who I am today. It gave me a life I never dared to dream of as a child. From supporting my favourite club for years as a child with my dad at Sclessin, to then playing a hundred games for it myself, to scoring for the Ultras and even getting the honour of being a captain here. It didn’t stop there… I got the opportunity to make my national debut and to play in Serie A. All things that seemed unreal when I started.

“Besides all that beautiful, the last few years were tough. Much heavier than I ever seemed. Injuries, operations, injections, medication… I gave everything to go back, but it got harder every time. I was constantly searching for my level, overplayed through pain too often and lived after every workout or game uncertain about how my body would react the next day. I kept fighting to be the player I wanted to be, but every time a new fight came.

“In my heart I will always want to be a footballer, but my body has been saying enough for a while now. And that’s why — out of respect for myself, for my health and for my responsibility as a father — I am making this decision.

“As surreal as it feels writing this. But I want to be able to walk in my life without pain, play with my son and enjoy life with my family… I don’t know what it will be like to get up without football, but I’m going to find out now.”

GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 10: Morten Thorsby of Sampdoria (L) and Zinho Vanheusden of Genoa vie for the ball during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and UC Sampdoria at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on December 10, 2021 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Getty Images)

Vanheusden made 49 competitive appearances for Inter at various youth levels, and 14 for Genoa in Serie A, along with one senior cap for Belgium in October 2020.

Unfortunately, he never really recovered from that very first anterior cruciate ligament tear in September 2017, requiring more surgery in May 2019, then again in November 2020.

The decision to retire came after the third anterior cruciate ligament tear of his career last week during Marbella’s 2-1 defeat to AD Alcorcon.

Along with that, there was also a foot fracture and a recurring sports hernia.