Simon Kjaer Retires from Professional Soccer

Simon Kjaer, former captain of the Denmark national football team, announced his retirement from soccer at the age of 35, following his departure from AC Milan last year. Kjaer is widely remembered for his heroic actions during the Euro 2020 match when teammate Christian Eriksen collapsed on the field, for which he and the Danish team received the FIFA Fair Play Award. Despite receiving offers from Champions League clubs, Kjaer felt he did not have the 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunity to continue playing and opted to retire. He had a successful career spanning multiple leagues, with notable achievements including winning the Serie A title with Milan in 2022. Kjaer concluded his time in football with 132 caps for Denmark, ranking second in national appearances behind Eriksen. He expressed satisfaction with his career and the timing of his retirement, emphasizing personal and family considerations in his decision.