Browsing: Retire

One of the most electrifying players in US womenâ€s soccer has called it a career.

Christen Press, who starred for the US womenâ€s national team over 155 appearances from 2013 to 2021, announced on Wednesday that she would be retiring as a player at the conclusion of the 2025 NWSL season with Angel City FC.

Press, 36, shared the news in an interview on ABC morning show Good Morning America.

“I feel a mix of everything,†she said. “Thereâ€s relief, thereâ€s joy, thereâ€s excitement, thereâ€s fear, thereâ€s so much grief. I have so much grief, a part of me, a piece of me, Iâ€m losing her.â€

Like most womenâ€s soccer players of her generation, Press enjoyed a meandering professional club career that started in Florida with MagicJack in Womenâ€s Professional Soccer (WPS). When that league folded, Press moved to Sweden with Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC and Tyresö before returning stateside in the newly launched NWSL with the Utah Royals and Chicago Red Stars. She made 14 appearances for Manchester United in the 2020-21 WSL season, but returned to her home town of Los Angeles for the launch of Angel City in 2022.

Press will be remembered most for her national team career, which saw her play a key role in the United States†triumphs in the 2015 and 2019 Womenâ€s World Cups. Whether as a starter or an effective substitute, Press†speed, finishing, and ability with the ball at her feet was a key component of those teams. In total, Press scored 64 goals for the US national team – one more than teammate Megan Rapinoe and good for ninth on the all-time scoring charts for the US.

Pressâ€s later playing career was unfortunately marked by a extended injury struggles and a sudden absence from the USWNT picture. Shortly before making that move to LA, Press took a break from the US national team for mental health reasons, and then-head coach Vlatko Andonovski left her off his US rosters after she said she was available to return in 2022.

Press tore her ACL in June of 2022 – an injury that ended up requiring multiple surgeries to fully repair. In total, the injury kept Press out of action until the 2024 season and effectively ended her national team career, though her comeback with Angel City has been hailed as inspiring by many across the world of womenâ€s soccer.

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Press has already gotten a head start on several off the field ventures. Along with her wife and former teammate Tobin Heath, Press hosts the popular Re–Cap podcast, which is part of a broader Re– brand overseen by Press. Press and Heathâ€s relationship was kept publicly under wraps for years before the pair officially announced that they were married earlier this year. Heath, Press†teammate with the US, retired earlier in 2025.

“She would absolutely hate me saying this, but a lot,†she said of whether Heathâ€s decision contributed to her own retirement. “I think it is time for my family to move on to our next chapter, weâ€re going to be a part of this game forever, but itâ€s time for it to look different for us.â€

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus Crew and former United States midfielder Darlington Nagbe plans to retire at the end of the Major League Soccer playoffs, the team announced Tuesday.

The 35-year-old has won four league titles in 15 MLS seasons, with Portland (2015 ), Atlanta (2018) and Columbus ( 2020, 2023 ). He has been the Crew captain since 2020.

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“After years of incredible memories, I’ll be finishing my career at the end of this season,” Nagbe said on social media. “I’m more than grateful for my family, for all my teammates, coaches, teams, staff members, supporters and friends that have helped me along this journey.

“Thank you, Portland, for giving me the first opportunity to play this game professionally, and I’ll never forget lifting the MLS Cup together. Thank you, Atlanta, for a short but incredible two years, filled with trophies, an MLS Cup and an opportunity to be part of an amazing atmosphere.

“Columbus: Thank you for welcoming an Ohio kid home and the opportunity to represent you for the past six seasons! Winning two MLS Cups, lifting trophies and playing in front of you, friends and family has been a dream come true!

“I’ll have more to share and more people to thank later. Looking forward to finishing the season strong and what’s ahead of us!”

Darlington Nagbe will retire at the end of the Columbus Crew’s season. Drew Horton – Columbus Crew/MLS via Getty Images

His 444 regular-season MLS appearances are fifth behind Nick Rimando (514), Kyle Beckerman (498), Dax McCarty (488) and Kei Kamara (463).

Nagbe scored nine regular-season goals for Portland (2011-17), Atlanta (2018-19) and Columbus (2020-25), plus two in the playoffs.

He had one goal in 25 international appearances, scoring for the U.S. in a friendly against Ecuador in 2016. Nagbe started in the 2-1 loss at Trinidad and Tobago in 2017 that ended the Americans’ streak of seven straight World Cup appearances.

Speaking while in camp with the USMNT, former Columbus and current Middlesbrough midfielder Aidan Morris paid tribute to his one-time teammate.

“My time in Columbus was so special, people like Darlington, people like [coach] Wilfred [Nancy] and his whole coaching staff, they put me in such a good spot to be able to transition over to England and the Champ[ionship],” Morris told reporters.

“Darlington, man, what a guy. I mean, I think everyone that talks about him and knows him, only has such positive and good things [to say] about him.

“Obviously, everyone knows him as such a fantastic footballer he was, but as a person, he just practiced all the right things all the time, always had a smile on his face … he was such a big role model for me and played a big part of my career.”

Born in Liberia, Nagbe left with his family for the U.S. when he was 5 months old, played for Akron and won the 2010 Hermann Trophy as the top men’s college soccer player. He became a U.S. citizen when he was 15.

Columbus has already secured a place in the MLS postseason heading into its final game of the regular season.

Information from The Associated Press and ESPN’s Cesar Hernandez was used in this report.

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BOSTON — The Bruins will retire former captain Zdeno Chara’s No. 33 on Jan. 15 prior to their game against Seattle.

Chara is set to become the 13th player in franchise history to have his number raised to the rafters and the first since Willie O’Ree in 2022. Chara recently rejoined the organization as a hockey operations adviser and mentor.

“There will never be another Zdeno Chara,” owner Jeremy Jacobs said. “From his skill, size and physical dominance on the ice, to his leadership in the locker room and impact on the Boston community, ‘Zee’ is a legend of the game.”

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Chara captained the Bruins to the Stanley Cup in 2011 as part of his 14-year run in Boston. The 6-foot-9 Slovakian defenseman won the Norris Trophy for being the NHL’s best at his position in 2009 and helped the team reach the final in 2013 and 2019.

“This honor is greater than anything I could have imagined when I first came to Boston,” said Chara, who joined in 2006 and turned out to be arguably the most impactful unrestricted free agent signing in league history. “I am forever grateful to the Bruins organization for trusting me to lead, to all my teammates past and present, to the fans whose passion and energy made Boston feel like home, and to my family who made everything possible.”

It’s the latest honor for Chara, who was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in June and is set to be inducted in November.

“Zdeno Chara brought with him an unmatched presence, combining size, strength and skill with a leadership style that elevated everyone around him,” said Bruins president Cam Neely, who had his No. 8 retired by the Bruins in 2004. “Zdeno set the standard with his professionalism, his legendary work ethic and his fierce competitiveness, and he did it all while representing our organization with the utmost class.”

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While LeBron James dominates the “when might he retire†discussion around the NBA, the other biggest names of an elite generation of players are facing the same question. Kevin Durant, who just turned 37 a week ago, is one, but heâ€s close to signing a two-year contract extension in Houston.

Then thereâ€s Stephen Curry. Heâ€s also 37 but has shown no signs of slowing down: All-NBA and All-Star a season ago who finished in the top 10 in MVP voting, he averaged 24.5 points and six assists a game, and his gravity, shooting and player movement are still at the heart of the Warriors†offense.

Curry has no idea when he will retire, but he knows itâ€s coming, he told Malika Andrews of ESPN.

“No clue. I just know itâ€s closer than it was even yesterday. Acknowledging it is fun, because the more I talk about it, the more I appreciate what all goes into preparing yourself. But all of that stuff is just the privilege that youâ€ve earned. Iâ€m trying not to put any timestamps or anything, other than the sense of urgency on it now.â€

Curry has two years remaining on his current contract (including this season) and could sign an extension a year from now (similar to Durant), but he holds all the cards. Golden State will give him whatever he wants — heâ€s still the guy that drives the business by people and sponsors paying to be associated with him and the Warriors — and itâ€s just a question of how much longer he wants to play. Right now, he continues to produce at an incredibly high level for a team with a chance at a deep postseason run if they can get the core — particularly Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green — to the playoffs healthy.

Retirement isnâ€t in the cards for Curry yet. But it is closer than it was yesterday.

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Stephen Curry doesn’t have a retirement timeline in mind, though the eventual end to his career is certainly something he’s processing.

“No clue. I just know it’s closer than it was even yesterday,” he told ESPN’s Malika Andrews when asked if he knew when the end of his career would be (1:57 mark). “Acknowledging it is fun, because the more I talk about it, the more I appreciate what all goes into preparing yourself. But all of that stuff is just the privilege that you’ve earned. I’m trying not to put any timestamps or anything, other than the sense of urgency on it now.”

The 37-year-old has a title window that is slowly closing, though the longevity of players like Curry and LeBron James (40 years old) continues to be astounding. Both are still playing at a very high level, with Curry averaging 24.5 points and six assists in 70 games last season while shooting 39.7 percent from three.

The Warriors added Jimmy Butler ahead of last season’s trade deadline to maximize that window, and it will be interesting to see how the Warriors fare will a full season to work Butler into the fold. A number of contenders in the West like the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets seem like safer bets to win a title than the Warriors, though the Curry-Butler duo makes the Dubs a definite threat.

It’s unclear if winning a fifth title this season would potentially nudge Curry toward retiring. Given the level he continues to play at, he seems to have several years left in the tank, but only Curry knows how long he wants this journey to be.

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Few players in English football are able to boast of winning eight league titles at their current club, but that’s just the situation Millie Bright finds herself in at Chelsea.

The 32-year-old joined the Blues in 2014 and has been front and centre during the club’s current golden age which has seen them dominate the domestic game over the past decade.

Chesterfield-born Bright began her career at Doncaster Belles, but when she was 19, they were demoted from the WSL to make way for Manchester City, a situation that still rankles with her.

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Bright on her journey to Chelsea

Bright joined Chelsea in 2014 (Image credit: Getty Images)

“[‘It was] really tough,” Bright tells FourFourTwo. “We had to play a whole season knowing that we were relegated. The decision was nothing to do with the football on the pitch – City came in and that was that. Chelsea moved in for me just as we got relegated, but I turned them down at first, not because I wasn’t grateful, but because I didn’t feel ready and needed some more playing time at Doncaster.

“I also didn’t want to abandon them just because we’d been relegated. Luckily Chelsea came in again later on, when I’d achieved everything I could with Doncaster and knew it was time. I had to ring my mum and dad to tell them I was moving to London!”

MIllie Bright began her career as a striker (Image credit: Getty Images)

This move to Chelsea also came at a time when Bright was still finding her best position, after she had started as a striker. “Clearly I was rubbish as a striker, so I got chucked back! [Laughs],” she continues. “I was a striker when I went on loan to Leeds at 18 and scored loads of goals there. Then I went back to Doncaster, moved into midfield, and started switching from midfield to centre-back over and over again – and at Chelsea too.

“I think I was 23 when I sat down with Emma Hayes and was like, ‘Right, what is my position? I want to be the world’s best in a position, what is it?’ She said centre-back and I was like, ‘OK, centre-back’. Although I do still go on little wanders up the pitch!”

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Fast forward to 2025 and Chelsea’s latest domestic treble saw Bright win her eighth league title in 11 years at the club.

“I’ll retire there – Chelsea is my club, and I adore everyone there,” she says. “I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved. Starting off in 2014, we hardly had any facilities and now we’ve got a massive gym, an incredible amount of staff, amazing pitches and a great relationship with the men’s side of the club. That’s taken time, and all the hard work that Emma Hayes did. I’ve loved it every single year. There’s not been a moment where I’ve asked myself, ‘Should I leave, should I not?’ I’ve got no reason to as long as I’m being pushed – I’ve turned 32 this year and still feel I can go to another level, I want to keep getting better.”

Bright celebrates a goal for Chelsea (Image credit: Getty Images)

It’s clear that Bright has no plans of hanging up her boots, but she has recently taken up a side hustle, launching a clothing range with artwork inspired by your tattoos and personal motto, ‘Dream big’.

“I’ve got a tattoo of an owl to represent home, as we’ve got a barn owl at my family’s stables in Sheffield,” she explains. “I’ve got a matching ‘1/2’ tattoo with my best friend Rachel Daly, ‘hakuna matata’, which means ‘no worries’, and a tiger that represents strength. ‘Dream big’ is something my mum has said since I was little – before every game, she still messages me that. No dream was ever too big, my family never held me back and said, ‘That’s not realistic’. My motto is, ‘They say I dream too big, I say they think too small’. I’ve lived by that.

Bright has launched her own limited edition sports bra and sportswear range, in partnership with MAAREE. For more information, visitMAAREE.com

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Of all the reams of words publicly spilled at Lakers media day Monday, only one really mattered.

When LeBron James was wrapping up his interview with the folks at Spectrum Sportsnet, host Chris McGee asked, “By the way, see you at next yearâ€s media day?â€

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James†laughing answer set the template for a season.

“Maybe.â€

So the Lakers should treat the next eight months emptying their assets and foregoing their future and playing with the desperation of a team trying to earn one last piece of jewelry for arguably the greatest player ever?

Maybe.

So should the fans here and around the league show up in droves and line up around the block for their last live look at a living legend?

Maybe.

Or, if everything goes wrong and things get ugly, should the Lakers and James willingly part ways through a midseason buyout?

Maybe.

No matter what happens, the fact that James didnâ€t reveal his intentions in his first public appearance since last spring means that this Laker season has the chance to be a murky maybe mess.

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Everybody knows where the Lakers stand, as Rob Pelinka said last week. He wants James to finish his career here.

“We would love if LeBronâ€s story would be he retire a Laker,†Pelinka said. “That would be a positive story.â€

But still nobody knows where James stands, and itâ€s not obvious, because, while heâ€s 40 and entering his NBA-record 23rd season, he looks young, and acts energetic, and Monday at the Lakers facility he was at his charming best.

“Just excited about the journey and whatever this year has in store for me,†he said.

Heâ€s probably not saying because he truly does not know. Next spring is a lifetime away. He doesnâ€t know how heâ€s going to feel. He doesnâ€t know how his basketball future could look.

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But because heâ€s not saying, this season could seemingly go one of three ways.

It could go the Kershaw Way. James could once again be one of the top players in the league but get worn down by the strain on his body and in the last weeks of the season he could call it quits. The Crypto.com crowd gets a chance to say goodbye and his Lakers teammates can use his retirement as inspiration for a deep postseason run.

Or, it could go the Kobe Way. James could decide in the middle of the season that heâ€s had enough and embark on a league-wide farewell tour, the sort that once brought the tough Kobe Bryant to tears.

Or, given the organizationâ€s recent sketchy history, it is entirely possible it could go the Typical Lakers Implosion Way.

LeBron James jokes with reporters as he arrives for interviews at Lakers media day on Monday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

James could spend the year making the Lakers dangle on that “maybe,†subtly fighting against the loss of his team leadership to Luka Doncic, passively aggressively chiding Pelinka to improve the roster at the trade deadline, even occasionally threatening to quit on the spot.

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Because it’s too tough to trade him and the Lakers donâ€t want to spend the bucks to buy him out, they spend the rest of the season dodging his barbs, then, simply let James†contract expire and watch him flee to home Cleveland for his swan song.

Three scenarios, but only two happy endings, and to make matters even more complicated, much depends not on James, but on the roster around him.

Are the Lakers going to be any good? Are you ready for it?

Maybe.

The Lakers only played 23 games with both James and the recently acquired Doncic last season, and they were 15-8 and grabbed a third seed and were acting like the best team in the NBA at one point before they disintegrated against Minnesota in the playoffs.

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They added Deandre Ayton for length, Jake LaRavia for defense, Marcus Smart for toughness, and a new body for Doncic, a formerly pudgy and breathless kid who has acknowledged his very adult transformation.

“Iâ€m in a better place for sure,†he said Monday.

Is that good enough to lead a team to a better place in the competitive West? Who knows?

Will it be good enough to convince James to ask for a new contract and stick around for yet another year? That doesnâ€t seem likely but then again, The Oldest Living Baller currently exists in the unlikely.

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The only certainty is that James is going to make this decision on his own time, in his own voice, through his own podcast or social media or heck, maybe another 30-minute TV special called, “The Last Decision?â€

How ever this plays out, heâ€s not saying anything now, which was obvious when he answered the first question at his media day news conference with dodgy utterances.

“I mean, I don’t know,†he said. “I mean, I’m excited about today, I’m excited about an opportunity to be able to play a game that I love for another season. And whatever the journey, however the journey lays out this year, I’m just super invested, because … I don’t know when the end is, but I know it’s a lot sooner than later.â€

He provided his most telling hint that heâ€s leaning into retirement when he talked about appreciating his final tours around the league.

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“Knowing that the end is soon, not taking for granted, you know, a Tuesday night in a city that maybe I don’t want to be in that night … let’s lock in because you don’t know how many times you get the opportunity to play the game or to be able to compete,†he said. “So there’s times where you wake up and you just feel like you just don’t have it. So those will be the days where I know I can lock back in real fast, like, OK, well, you won’t have many days like this, so let’s lock in and enjoy the moment, enjoy the rest of the ride.â€

Bronny and LeBron James pose for photos at Lakers media day as Rui Hachimura takes a selfie in front of them. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

He was asked if, now that heâ€s played with son Bronny, would he stick around to play with his Arizona-freshman son Bryce? His answer was LeBron at his fatherly best.

“No, I’m not waiting on Bryce,†he said. “No. I don’t know what his timeline is. He’s his own young man now, like he’s down in Tucson. We’ll see what happens this year, next year, you know, but he has his own timeline. I got my timeline, and I don’t know if they quite match up.â€

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He was asked if his decision would be influenced by a chance to play with Doncic. His answer was LeBron at his jabbing best.

“Ah, nah. As far as how long I go in my career? Nah. Zero,†he said. “The motivation to be able to play alongside him every night, that’s super motivating. That’s what I’m going to train my body for. Every night I go out there and try to be the best player I can for him, and we’re going to bounce that off one another. But as far as me weighing in on him and some other teammates of how far I go in my career, nah.â€

It may be Luka Doncicâ€s team, but itâ€s still LeBron James†world, and heâ€s going to control his narrative down to the last syllables of the last sentences of his final goodbye.

And that donâ€t mean maybe.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Inter Miami CF midfielder Sergio Busquets announced he will retire at the end of the 2025 Major League Soccer season.

The Spaniard revealed his decision by publishing a video to his Instagram account, detailing his experience after an almost 20-year career with Barcelona, Miami and Spain.

“I feel like it’s time to say goodbye to my career as a professional soccer player. It has been almost 20 years of enjoying this incredible story that I always dreamed of. Soccer has gifted me unique experiences in wonderful places, with the best travel companions,” Busquets said on Instagram.

“Thank you to FC Barcelona, the club of my life. There, I fulfilled the dreams of my childhood of wearing the shirt I loved in hundreds of games. I celebrated many tales and lived unique moments at Camp Nou that I’ll never forget.

Thank you to the Spain National Team. It was an honor to represent it so many times and to enjoy achievements that will always remain in my heart.

Thank you to Inter Miami for letting me be part of a new and growing club, where I wanted to live a new experience and contribute my part.”

Sergio Busquets won 32 trophies with Barcelona, the World Cup and Euros with Spain, and the Leagues Cup and Supporters’ Shield in Miami. Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Image

He walks away from football after recording more than 700 appearances for FC Barcelona, where he lifted multiple La Liga titles, Champions League trophies and Copa del Rey triumphs.

Busquets also formed part of the historic Spanish National team that completed the treble, winning the 2008 European Championship, 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship.

Following a historic career in Barcelona, Busquets decided to join Inter Miami in 2023 alongside Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba.

He became part of Miami’s history by playing an important role in the inaugural 2023 Leagues Cup win, 2024 Supporters’ Shield and setting the league record for most points in a single season.

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“Thank you to all my colleagues, staff and everyone with whom I shared so many beautiful and unforgettable moments. The best thing I take away is you all. Thanks to the fans around the world for their love and respect. I hope I was able to give back a small part of everything you’ve meant to me…These will be my last months on the pitch. I am retiring very happy, proud, fulfilled and above all grateful. Thank you very much, see you soon… All end is a new beginning.”

Busquets will retire right as his original contract with the club expires. Inter Miami has qualified for the MLS playoffs, allowing the Spaniard one more opportunity to lift a trophy.

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Mike Gundy is out at Oklahoma State, but he doesn’t plan to retire from coaching.

Gundy’s brother, Cale, said the longtime Cowboys head coach plans to continue coaching, and Cale is planning to join him.

“Hell yes and I’m going with him,” Cale told On3’s Brett McMurphy.

Oklahoma State fired Gundy on Tuesday after a 1-2 start to the season. He was in his 21st season with the Cowboys.

“Cowboy Football reached an unprecedented level of success and national prominence under Coach Gundy’s leadership,” OSU Athletic Director Chad Weiberg said in a statement. “I believe I speak for OSU fans everywhere when I say that we are grateful for all he did to raise the standard and show us all what is possible for Oklahoma State football.”

Oklahoma State had its worst season in more than 20 years last season, finishing 3-9 and 0-9 in conference play. The Cowboys won their 2025 season opener against UT Martin before being walloped by Oregon and upset by Tulsa last week.

While Gundy’s final season and change won’t be remembered as a good time for Oklahoma State, his tenure with the Cowboys was mostly a success. He led Oklahoma State to a bowl game in all but two seasons and won a Big 12 championship in 2011. Under Gundy, the Cowboys won 10 or more games eight times, most recently in 2023.

It’s hard to explain exactly what has gone wrong for Oklahoma State over the past year or so, but it’s clear the Cowboys needed a change in leadership—and perhaps Gundy needs a change of scenery as well.

Gundy, who played quarterback at Oklahoma State form 1986 to 1989, has been with the Cowboys in some capacity for all but five years since entering the coaching world in 1990.

He’ll now leave Stillwater and look for a new opportunity elsewhere. With his experience and past success, it shouldn’t be too long before he’s back on the sidelines.

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Morton signed a Major League deal with the Braves on Monday, one day after being released by the Tigers. Exactly when and how he will be used during this final week of the regular season will be determined after he arrives in Atlanta on Tuesday and has a conversation with Braves manager Brian Snitker.

“We just got him back, so I donâ€t know what the plan will be,†Snitker said. “I talked to him on Saturday afternoon before batting practice and this wasnâ€t even on the radar.â€

Snitkerâ€s love for Morton was witnessed yet again when he gave the pitcher a big hug a couple of hours before the Braves and Tigers played Saturday afternoon at Comerica Park. A little more than 12 hours earlier, the Braves had tagged Morton for six earned runs over 1 1/3 innings in a 10-1 win over Detroit.

Instead of that ugly outing serving as the finale of an 18-season career that began with the 2008 Braves, Morton can now construct a more pleasurable end. Thereâ€s a chance he could be used in relief, or just pitch an inning or two as a starter.

Morton could truly feel sentimental if the Braves choose to use him during this weekendâ€s three-game series against the Pirates. He spent seven seasons with Pittsburgh after being included in the trade that brought Nate McLouth to Atlanta in 2009.

Snitker said he didnâ€t hear anything about the possibility of reuniting with Morton until Monday morning.

Morton posted a 5.89 ERA over 32 combined appearances (26 starts) for the Orioles and Tigers this year. He was far from the consistent contributor he had been while producing a 3.87 ERA over 124 starts for Atlanta from 2021-24.

When Morton spent those past few years with Atlanta, he spoke glowingly of the organization. He was taken in the third round of the 2002 MLB Draft. It didnâ€t look like he would have a long career when the Braves kept him at the Class-A level for two years and later moved him to a relief role with the 2007 Mississippi Braves. But he made his MLB debut in 2008 and continued to benefit from a resilient spirit.

Morton, McCann and Francoeur all experienced Spring Training for the first time in 2003, at the Braves†former complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Morton didnâ€t even start tasting consistent success until after Francoeur ended his 12-year big league career in 2016.

Atlanta fans will forever remember Morton for recording three outs after his right leg was fractured by a line drive in the second inning of Game 1 of the 2021 World Series.

Now, they will have one last chance to show their appreciation.

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