FORMER Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has announced his retirement from football aged 35.
The defender made the announcement in front of a packed Parc des Princes ahead of Paris Saint Germain‘s French Cup defeat to local rivals Paris FC.
An emotional Sakho, who began his career with Paris FC, told the crowd: “This is an immense pleasure – to return to my garden with such an exceptional crowd.
“The pitch is just as beautiful as ever. I have wonderful memories here.
“I wanted to introduce you to my mother, because without her, my story would have been different.
“Big respect to all the mothers in the world. I want to thank everyone and officially announce my retirement.
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“Thank you to the Parc des Princes and to Paris FC, without which PSG wouldn’t have been part of my journey.”
Scores of French footie fans paid tribute to Sakho on social media after learning of his retirement, with one writing on X: “Thank you for everything, Mamadou Sakho.”
Another said: “Football moves fast, but respect never ages. A warrior bows out where it all mattered. Salute, Sakho.”
And another said: “Carried Liverpool from 2013-2016 great player.”
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One remarked: “Legendary career, Sakho. Thank you for everything you gave on the pitch. True Parisian through and through.’
Another chimed in: “A true PSG soldier. Enjoy retirement, Sakho.”
Sakho came up through Paris FC’s academy before he was poached by PSG in 2002.
He spent 11 years with the club, who he made 201 appearances for, before joining Liverpool in the summer of 2013.
Sakho made eighty appearances in three seasons for the Reds before joining Crystal Palace in the summer of 2017-18 following a brief loan spell at Selhurst Park.
He returned to France in the summer of 2021 following four seasons with the Eagles, joining Montpellier.
He closed out his career in with a brief stint with Georgian side Kutaisi.
Sakho was a regular in the French national team from 2010 to 2018, making 29 appearances for Les Bleus.
