Jamie Vardy on retirement: Physical limits will dictate my future
Jamie Vardy has revealed that it’ll be his body, rather than his mind, that will decide when it’s time to retire from football, reports BritPanorama.
The 39-year-old, who left Leicester a year ago, is still going strong as he approaches the twilight years of his career. Currently playing for Serie A side Cremonese, Vardy has embraced a new challenge abroad after departing the King Power Stadium.
He has netted five goals since making the move, although the Italian minnows are currently battling relegation with three matches left in the season.
In a new Netflix documentary, Vardy expresses his enduring passion for football, yet he dismisses management as a future path. “I’ve always said when the legs tell me it’s enough then that will be the day,” he stated. “Fortunately for these boys [slapping both his legs], they’re still telling me they’re fine at the minute.”
Vardy, known for his remarkable career arc, gained fame for leading Leicester City to their historic Premier League title in 2016, a feat that established him as one of the world’s top strikers at the time. As he approaches his 40th birthday in January, he reflects on the challenges his former team now faces after their recent relegation to League One.
“I don’t have time to reflect on it all now, to be honest. When I finish football altogether, that will come,” he remarked. He acknowledges the physical and mental toll that football takes: “Physically and mentally football is a killer, it’s so hard of a grind on your body and on your mind, so I just want to completely forget about it. Of course I love it. If I didn’t still love it, I wouldn’t still be playing.”
A decade ago, Leicester’s sensational title triumph captivated fans globally, epitomising the ultimate underdog story. Vardy admits that witnessing his old club’s decline has been “tough.” However, he maintains strong ties with his former teammates. “We’re all still in a group in WhatsApp [the title-winning squad]. We’re always talking to each other, always keeping in touch,” he shared, highlighting the enduring bonds formed during their successful campaign.
The trajectory of Vardy’s career serves as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of football success and the relentless march of time. As he continues to perform on the pitch, his reflections on past glories against the backdrop of Leicester’s recent struggles evoke a bittersweet narrative of resilience and change in the beautiful game.
