Adel Taarabt retires from football after career with Milan, Benfica and Morocco

Morocco international Adel Taarabt has announced his retirement from football at the age of 37, bringing an end to a career which included spells with Milan, Benfica, Tottenham Hotspur, Queens Park Rangers, Fulham and Sharjah.

Taarabt, who played as a winger and attacking midfielder, made the announcement on Instagram. His retirement was accompanied by the phrase “The streets will never forget”, a reference to the skills videos which became closely associated with him throughout his career.

“I knew this day would come, and the time has arrived to turn this page.

“Football has been a huge part of my life for many years. It gave me wonderful memories, introduced me to special people and allowed me to experience moments I will never forget.

“I would like to express my deepest thanks to every club I played for, every coach, every team-mate and every member of staff, and of course to every supporter who surrounded me with love and affection throughout my career.

“To every club I had the honour of representing, from Lens to Sharjah, thank you for being part of my story.

“Representing Morocco will always have a special place in my heart.

“There were beautiful moments, difficult moments, mistakes and wonderful nights… everything. But this was my journey, and I would not change it.

“Thank God for everything.”

Taarabt began his professional career with French club Lens in 2006 before moving to England, where he played for Tottenham Hotspur, Queens Park Rangers and Fulham.

He later represented Italian sides Milan and Genoa, as well as Portuguese club Benfica. In the latter stages of his career, he played in the United Arab Emirates for Al Nasr and Sharjah.

Across his club career, Taarabt made 482 appearances and scored 79 goals. He won six trophies, including the Portuguese league title with Benfica in the 2018-19 season and the AFC Champions League Two with Sharjah in 2024-25.

At international level, he represented France at youth level before choosing to play for Morocco. He made his senior debut for Morocco in 2009 and remained part of the national set-up until 2022.

Taarabt became known for his close control, dribbling and ability to create chances from advanced positions. His performances and individual skills made him a popular figure among supporters, while clips of his technique continued to circulate online under the “The streets will never forget” banner.

His final club was Sharjah, the side with which he won the AFC Champions League Two in the 2024-25 season. In his retirement message, Taarabt thanked every team involved in his journey, beginning with Lens and ending with Sharjah, and reflected on the full range of experiences that shaped his career.