Newsletters
Mauro Icardi has stepped away from professional football for the time being after leaving Galatasaray and going through the transfer window without signing for another club, with the 33-year-old Argentine striker returning home amid growing speculation over whether he could bring his playing career to an end.
Icardi, who earned around €10 million (over $11.3 million) annually during his final season at Galatasaray, reportedly failed to find a contract in Europe that matched the conditions he was looking for and ultimately remained without a club.
Rather than immediately looking to get back into football, the former Galatasaray forward has settled into a quieter life in Argentina.
Following his departure from Istanbul, Icardi moved into a country house belonging to his girlfriend China Suarez in Chacras de Murray, a residential development in the Pilar area of Buenos Aires.
According to a report by Takvim, Icardi has pulled away from city life and has been spending his time across the property's surrounding land, including hunting and other outdoor activities.
The change in lifestyle comes after the turbulent period involving his former wife Wanda Nara and the pressures of a demanding football schedule.
His decision to remain without a club has also fuelled claims that he could be considering retirement, although Icardi has not announced that he has officially ended his professional career.
As speculation over his future picked up, Icardi hit back at criticism surrounding his clubless status with a message shared on social media, arguing that being without a contract should not be confused with failure or a lack of alternatives.
"People confuse unemployment with failure, while I call it securing your life. They confuse being without a contract with having no options. I call it freedom of choice. I worked to own my time and secure my future.
"Even if I stopped working, my life would continue in exactly the same way. I do not understand why you worry about me. Relax, live peacefully and with plenty of love. I already have everything."
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
