Maurício Isla announces retirement at 38 | OneFootball

Maurício Isla has announced his retirement at 38, confirming the decision on Monday, 7 September. The player said in a post that he was ending his professional career.

He had been without a club and inactive since last year following a spell at Colo-Colo. Isla joined Flamengo in 2020 as Rafinha’s replacement after the Brazilian moved to Olympiacos.

Between 2020 and 2022 he made 83 appearances for Flamengo, scoring four and supplying 11 assists. He helped win the 2020 Brasileirão and the 2021 Supercopa, and scored in the opening phase of the 2022 Libertadores against Sporting Cristal at the Maracanã before leaving for Universidad Católica in July, missing the latter knockout rounds.

Isla reflected on a journey that began in humble surroundings, crediting early guidance at Universidad Católica and youth coach José Sulantay. He debuted for Chile on 7 September 2007 aged 19 under Marcelo Bielsa.

He finished with 144 caps for La Roja, featuring at six Copas América, two World Cups and one Confederations Cup, and lifted the continental title in 2015 and 2016. He also thanked the clubs he represented, including Udinese, Juventus, Queens Park Rangers, Olympique de Marselha, Cagliari, Fenerbahçe and Flamengo, then Universidad Católica, Independiente and Colo-Colo.

Isla said he was stepping away out of respect and love for his family, and hoped to be remembered as the boy who dared to dream and became a professional footballer.

Source: Coluna Do Fla

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