It’s over! Those are the words from Samir Nasri, the former Marseille, Arsenal, Manchester City and Sevilla winger. The 34-year-old Frenchman has announced the end of his professional football career. It was quite a journey. There were great goals, trophies, big-money transfers, but also illegal substance controversy, suspensions and disillusion. And among all that, there was an offer from Sevilla that Samir couldn’t have said no to.The talented player came onto the scene with his hometown club Olympique de Marseille in 2004. Then only a 17-year-old boy, the midfielder played with no fear and was soon attracting plaudits from the French press who compared him to the legendary Zinedine Zidane. Playing for his favourite club was a fulfilment of a boyhood dream and it put Nasri in the focus of then-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. —2x Premier League—1x League Cup —1x Community Shield —U17 Euro winner—2010 France footballer of the YearSamir Nasri announces his retirement from football at 34 years old. pic.twitter.com/LawY8sFWKA— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 26, 2021 The Gunners offered Nasri the chance to test himself in the Premier League when they signed the 21-year-old winger for $17.6 million. He was an instant hit, but after three years at the Emirates, the classy midfielder looked for a new challenge at a club that was competing for titles. Arsenal fans couldn’t forgive him for his move, but even they had to admit that Nasri was right. The player went on to win two Premier League titles with Manchester City – and the Gunners won none.Sunday, 22.00: (5.20) Granada (3.60) Sevilla (1.80)When manager Pep Guardiola arrived to City, however, it was soon clear that Nasri would have to find himself another club. He went to a season-long loan to Seville – but only after a memorable phone call with then-Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli.”Jorge was a friend more than a coach. He loved me so much that he told me: ‘Come to our team. You can go out for drinks, hit the discos, do whatever you want. I’ll cover your back as long as you play well on weekends.’ He was impossible to reject. Anyway, living in Seville was beautiful. The food is great and the girls are very pretty there.”And sure enough, Samir arrived to Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in 2016 and made 23 La Liga appearances for the Andalusian club under the guidance of Sampaoli. And fate would have it that the Argentine would become the head coach at Marseille, Nasri’s first club.With Samir Nasri having just announced his retirement, there’s no better time to bring this video back. pic.twitter.com/qV2Lif7LsH— j (@KinkyMadness) September 26, 2021 Spells with West Ham United, Turkish club Antalyaspor and Belgian outfit Anderlecht were to curtail Nasri’s career, but those late years were largely tarnished by an 18-month suspension after a failed drugs test. “That episode made me very bad and that changed my relationship with football. The suspension seemed very unfair. I had not taken any doping substance. It was only an injection of vitamins because I was sick. It wasn’t right and it stopped me in my tracks.”Samir Nasri breaking coaching manuals with his pals #afcpic.twitter.com/O61cXymHx6— Phantomn AFC (@PhantomnAFC) September 26, 2021 Despite saying goodbye to professional football, Samir admits that he would have to reconsider his decision should a call from his boyhood club arrive.”After Covid-19 pandemic cut my Anderlecht adventure short, I didn’t want to play anymore. I didn’t feel like there were more challenges for me. There was talk of maybe returning to Ligue 1, but I do not see myself returning to France if it’s not to play for Marseille.”A reunion of Sampaoli and Nasri would have been a satisfying end to a glittering career. Not because of all the trophies they’d won together, but because of all the drinking, clubbing and partying in the south of France. Still, maybe the Argentinean coach will be thankful without the additional distractions.Saturday, 19.30: (3.00) Brighton (3.10) Arsenal (2.65)As for Nasri, we hope he enjoys his retirement.
