Football careers, like everything else on earth, have a beginning and an end.
For Serie A icon Ciro Immobile, the end of his career has arrived after he announced his decision to retire from professional football.
The former striker played professionally for 17 years before calling time on his career after his spell with Paris FC in the 2025-26 season.
The 36-year-old was a giant in club football in Italy, and was part of the team that won Euro 2020 for the Azzurri.
He is, without a doubt, one of the modern greats of Italian football.
Ciro Immobile Calls Time on 17-Year Professional Career
Ciro Immobile has officially announced his decision to hang up his boots after a 17-year career.
He sent an emotional farewell message to his former teammates at Paris FC, explaining his decision to retire.
The Italian pointed out that he is physically unable to cope with the pain and discomfort that comes with training on a daily basis.
He also explained that he wishes to spend more time with his family, with his football career having taken up so much of his time.
Immobile scored 350 goals in 656 career appearances for his various teams in Italy, Spain, Germany, Turkey, and France.
Immobile’s Lazio Legacy and European Golden Shoe Triumph
Immobile enjoyed the greatest success of his career while he was in the books of Lazio in Rome between 2016 and 2024.
He made 340 appearances for the club, scoring 207 goals to surpass club legend Silvio Piola to become the club's all-time leading goalscorer.
He won a Coppa Italia title and two Supercoppa Italiana trophies during his time with the Roman club.
His best season came in 2019-20, where he scored 36 goals in Serie A to equal Gonzalo Higuain's record for most goals in a single season.
He won the European Golden Shoe for that season, as well as a third Capocannoniere crown as Serie A's top scorer.
Euro 2020 Glory and Immobile’s Final Chapter at Paris FC
Immobile was a regular for Italy for most of his career, playing 57 times for his country.
The former Borussia Dortmund striker enjoyed one of his greatest moments with the Azzurri in 2021, when he was part of the team that won Euro 2020.
He was Roberto Mancini's first-choice striker at the tournament, scoring two goals en route to their penalty shootout victory over England at Wembley.
Paris FC became the final club of his professional career after he joined from Bologna for the second half of the 2025-26 season.
He played 13 times for the French outfit, scoring two goals and providing two assists as he helped them to avoid relegation from Ligue 1.
What Young Footballers Can Learn From Immobile’s Career
Ciro Immobile's 17-year career offers several lessons for young footballers.
He performed excellently for every club he played for, even for Paris FC in the final months of his career.
The Italian is proof for young footballers that they need to listen to their bodies and know when to call it a day.
He also considered his family in choosing to end his career, prioritizing them in his decision.
Young footballers should keep these factors in mind when making major decisions about their careers.
