Former Cameroon captain Benjamin Moukandjo has decided to call it day and retire from professional football with immediate effect.
The 34-year-old, who made his debut for the national team back in 2010, has scored 10 goals in 57 appearances for the Cameroon national team at the international level.
The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations winner has been clubless following his release by Greek outfit AEL Larissa in April 2021.
Moukandjo announced his retirement on Sunday afternoon, abruptly ending his remarkable football career.
“ I would like to announce that I have decided to put an end to this wonderful adventure that has been my career as a professional footballer,” Moukandjo said in a statement as translated from French.
“I humbly thank all those who from near or far have encouraged me during all these years of sorrows, sacrifices and pains, but also and above all of joys, encounters and emotions.
“ I was honored by the trust given to me to be your captain and to carry out the mission entrusted to us at 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, for the love and pride of an entire people.
“Yes, we were able to reach this grail on Sunday February 5, 2017 in Libreville, thanks to your encouragement, and we were able to share our immense happiness with our compatriots, lovers of football, and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.
“Each event in the clubs that welcomed me has forged the man I am today.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart to every trainer, educator, club, president, coach and leader, but above all supporters who had faith in me.
“ All my gratitude to my teammates, my family, and my loved ones, known as unknown for their unwavering support.
“Thank you for allowing me to establish meritocracy as a principle of life,” he added.
Moukandjo started his European career at Rennes and had spells with six other French clubs, including Monaco, Nancy and Reims.
He represented Cameroon at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and in the 2017 Fifa Confederations Cup in Russia.
He announced his retirement from international football in September 2018 after then coach Clarence Seedorf omitted him from the squad.
Moukandjo captained the Indomitable Lions to their fifth continental title at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon..
