TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Liverpool and AC Milan striker Divock Origi officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 31, announcing this via his personal social media accounts.
He also wrote an article in The Players' Tribune explaining that all his goals in football had been achieved, leading to his decision to retire.
"My purpose in the game is fulfilled.I lived out my childhood dreams, played on the biggest stages, won the biggest trophies. Grateful to God for all of it," Origi wrote it on his social media, as quoted by This Is Anfield.
He also expressed his gratitude to everyone who had supported him throughout his career.
"To all my fans, the clubs, my teammates and my family: this will forever be ours. Thank you. The mission is complete. Now I step into my next calling."
Origi ended his professional career after making 358 appearances and scoring 67 goals at senior level. Throughout his career, he played for several European clubs, including Lille, Liverpool, Wolfsburg, AC Milan, and Nottingham Forest.
At international level, Origi has played 32 times for Belgium, scoring three goals for his country.
The Ostend-born player has been without a club since December of last year after reaching an agreement with AC Milan to terminate his contract early.
The most successful period of Origi's career came with Liverpool. Although not always a first-choice player, he was known for his decisive performances in crucial moments.
His name will always be remembered by Reds fans for his contribution to Liverpool's 2018/19 Champions League triumph.
In the semifinal against Barcelona, Origi scored twice in a sensational 4-0 victory at Anfield that saw Liverpool overturn the aggregate scoreline and advance to the final.
In the final in Madrid, he scored again as Liverpool defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 to claim their sixth Champions League trophy.
Furthermore, Origi was also part of the Liverpool squad that ended a long wait by winning the 2019/20 Premier League title, the club's first league title in the Premier League era.
Another of his most iconic moments came in December 2018 when he scored the winning goal in the 96th minute of the Merseyside Derby against Everton.
With these historic moments, Divock Origi leaves the football world as a figure remembered not only for his goals, but also for his ability to make the difference in crucial moments. Now, the former Belgian striker is ready to start a new chapter off the pitch.
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