German-Ghanaian defender Jerome Boateng retires after illustrious 19-year career

German defender Jerome Boateng, who became one of his country’s most decorated footballers, has announced his retirement from professional football after a glittering 19-year career.

The 37-year-old confirmed the decision following a final season with Austrian side LASK in 2024–25, drawing the curtain on a journey that spanned four countries and produced some of the game’s most iconic moments.

Born in Berlin to a Ghanaian father and a German mother, Boateng rose through the youth ranks at Hertha BSC before making his senior debut with the capital club.

His talent soon attracted Hamburg, where he spent three seasons between 2007 and 2010, before a move to Manchester City briefly took him to the Premier League. It was at Bayern Munich, however, that Boateng wrote his most successful chapter.

Across a decade at the Allianz Arena, Boateng amassed 229 appearances and five goals while winning virtually every major honour at club level, including two UEFA Champions League crowns and nine Bundesliga titles.

He was also named Germany’s Footballer of the Year in 2016, cementing his status as one of the finest defenders of his generation.

Boateng earned over 70 caps for the German national team and featured in three consecutive World Cups.

His crowning moment came in 2014 when he anchored Joachim Löw’s defence as Germany lifted the World Cup in Brazil.

He also played in two European Championships, becoming a key figure for Die Mannschaft for more than a decade.

After leaving Bayern in 2021, Boateng had spells with Lyon and Salernitana before finishing his career at LASK.