Ex-Chelsea wonderkid RETIRES at age of 28 just three years after Stamford Bridge exit as injuries put end to playing career

Charly Musonda Chelsea Premier League

Former Chelsea rising star Charly Musonda Jr has retired aged 28 after an injury-hit career for one of Belgium's former brightest prospects.

Musonda retires aged 28

WHAT HAPPENED?

Musonda has now decided to put an end to a difficult career, announcing his decision himself on the Rising Ballers podcast as reported by Belgian outlet La DH Les Sports. Musonda had been without a club since departing Cypriot side Anorthosis last year.

Charly Musonda, Chelsea

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Musonda was earmarked as a star in the making from a young age in his native Belgium, signing for Chelsea for €2.5million (£2.1m/$2.9m) as a 16-year-old in 2012. La DH Les Sports stated in their report that the attacking midfielder was formerly viewed as "the greatest Belgian talent" in his youth - but he would make just seven appearances for Chelsea, three in the Premier League, scoring one solitary League Cup goal for the club. Loans to Real Betis, Celtic and Vitesse Arnhem would follow, before his release from Stamford Bridge in 2022 and subsequent spells with Levante and Anorthosis. He struggled to find a true home away from Chelsea, hit by injuries across his career.

WHAT MUSONDA SAID

Musonda said on the Rising Ballers podcast: "I've got a big announcement today. It's not easy but it's something I've been thinking about for a long time. After reflecting on my experiences and who I am, I've realised I want to live with purpose to inspire and motivate others."

He added: "The exit [from Chelsea] killed me. It killed me mentally. It was the worst thing. I was obviously with the reserves at that time so the plan was to pick up with the reserves, get some training in and if there were a few games where I could fit in toward the back end of the season, that was the plan.

"Because I literally had just gotten better. I came back in December-January and was training with the reserves. Feeling amazing, happy to be back—obviously it was a long way for me to be fully fit, but just being able to train was amazing.

"The first team was doing really well. It was COVID, so the buildings were split and you wouldn’t really see the first team. Then toward the back end of the season in the car park I ran into Thomas Tuchel, the manager. It was my first time meeting him. He said, 'I’m looking forward to seeing you back and I said, 'Don’t worry, I’ll be back for pre-season'. Because in my mind, it was always pre-season and I’d be back with the first team and we’d see from there. So I came back for pre-season and that’s where things got tricky. That was the end of my time at Chelsea."

Charly Musonda

WHAT NEXT FOR MUSONDA?

With his professional career over, Musonda will no doubt look to inspire the next generation of young stars in further opportunities to tell his story. His proves that a career in football is fleeting and can be taken from you with injuries, but he will no doubt use his experiences to teach others as his life enters a new chapter.