Tunisia defender Yassine Meriah retires from football at 32 due to health issues

Tunisian international Yassine Meriah has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 32, bringing an end to a career that was increasingly affected by persistent injury and health problems.

Meriah has decided to call time on his playing career after a prolonged battle with injuries, particularly recurring knee problems that have disrupted his progress over the past several years.

The experienced defender joined Club Africain in July 2025 on a two-year contract after leaving fellow Tunisian giants Esperance Tunis as a free agent.

However, his return to Club Africain was overshadowed by continued fitness difficulties, with the defender ultimately deciding that his health could no longer allow him to continue playing at the professional level.

Meriah’s injury problems included two serious cruciate ligament injuries during his career. His first cruciate ligament injury occurred while representing Tunisia in 2021, before he suffered another during his spell with Esperance in 2024.

The repeated setbacks made it increasingly difficult for the defender to maintain his career, eventually leading him to make the difficult decision to retire from the game.

Explaining his decision, Meriah said his health was the main factor behind his retirement.

“After a long consideration between myself and I, I decided today to stop my football activity for one reason, which is a health reason,” Meriah said.

The former Tunisia captain also reflected on his career and expressed gratitude to the clubs he represented and the people who supported him throughout his difficult periods with injury.

“God willing, I hope I have accomplished a respectable career, and that I have not been stingy with any club whose colors I wore and defended. Thank you to everyone who supported me during all the difficult times I went through, even with a kind word… Goodbye football,” he added.

Meriah leaves the game with an impressive international record, having made 95 appearances for the Tunisia national team and scored six goals.

He was a key figure for the Carthage Eagles for several years and captained the national side during his international career.

His retirement brings an end to a career that saw him represent some of Tunisia’s biggest clubs while also earning a place among the country’s most experienced defenders at international level.

Despite the injury setbacks that ultimately forced him to step away from the game, Meriah departs professional football with nearly a century of international appearances and a career built around his commitment to Tunisia and the clubs whose colours he represented.