Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo, 41, announced his official retirement from professional football this Friday. A three-time Copa Libertadores champion and a Confederations Cup winner with the Brazil national team, Melo wraps up a career filled with 13 years playing in Europe and numerous triumphs in South America.

"Today I close one of the most important chapters of my life: my career as a football player. It’s been incredible years, full of battles and victories," said the former footballer in an emotional message shared on his social media. The announcement came after Fluminense, the club with which he won the 2023 Copa Libertadores and the 2024 Recopa Sudamericana, decided not to renew his contract, which expired on December 31.

A career filled with success and controversies

Throughout his journey, Felipe Melo stood out not only for his talent on the pitch but also for his controversies off it and his aggressive playing style, which earned him several red cards. In his farewell message, he emphasized his faith and gratitude:

"I want to thank every club I had the pleasure of playing for, the fans who were the fuel for my journey, my teammates, everyone who was part of this story, and my family, who always supported me. But above all, I thank God, who gave me the talent, the courage, and the opportunity to live it all." Although retired as a player, Melo remains linked to Fluminense, representing the club at significant events like the FIFA Club World Cup 2024 sponsorship presentations in the United States.

A standout international career

Before joining Fluminense in 2022, Felipe Melo enjoyed a successful stint with Palmeiras, where he captained the team and won five trophies, including two Copa Libertadores titles (2020 and 2021), a Brazilian Championship (2018), a Copa do Brasil (2020), and a Campeonato Paulista (2020).

Melo began his career with Flamengo and also played for major Brazilian clubs like Grêmio and Cruzeiro before making the leap to European football. Between 2004 and 2017, he wore the jerseys of Almería, Racing Santander, and Real Mallorca in Spain; Fiorentina, Juventus, and Inter Milan in Italy; and Galatasaray in Turkey, where he won nine titles, including three Turkish Cups, the Super League, and the Super Cup. With the Brazilian national team, Felipe Melo played in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and lifted the 2009 Confederations Cup trophy.