Ex-Liverpool Defender Mamadou Sakho Announces Retirement After Bust-Up with Klopp

Paris, January 12, 2026 – Former Liverpool FC defender Mamadou Sakho, aged 35, has officially retired from professional football, announcing the decision in an emotional ceremony at Paris Saint-Germain's Parc des Princes stadium.[1][2][3]

Sakho, a towering French centre-back, stepped onto the pitch before PSG's French Cup round-of-32 match against Paris FC – two clubs from his storied career. "I wanted to officially announce the end of my career," he declared to the crowd. "This is an immense pleasure – to return to my garden with such an exceptional crowd." He paid tribute to his mother, saying, "Without her, my story would have been different. Big respect to all the mothers in the world." Sakho thanked PSG, Paris FC, and the Parc des Princes, calling the pitch "just as beautiful as ever."[2]

Rising through PSG's youth ranks, Sakho became club captain and helped win the Ligue 1 title in 2012-13. He earned 29 caps for France before transferring to Liverpool in September 2013 for around £18 million.[1][3] At Anfield, he quickly became a cult hero, making 80 appearances and scoring three goals over four seasons. Highlights included his debut-season goal in a 4-1 win over West Ham and strikes in a 4-3 Europa League comeback against Borussia Dortmund and a Merseyside derby victory in 2016.[3]

However, his Liverpool tenure ended tumultuously. An alleged anti-doping violation – later cleared – sidelined him from the 2016 Europa League final loss to Sevilla. Tensions peaked with manager Jürgen Klopp, leading to a public fallout. Sakho fell out of favor and joined Crystal Palace on loan in January 2017, making the move permanent until 2021. He later played for Montpellier in France and Torpedo Kutaisi in Georgia, becoming a free agent in January 2025.[1][3]

Post-retirement, Sakho is focusing on his property business, Sakho & Co., based in Dubai, where he serves as founder and CEO.[2] Fans remember him as a passionate defender whose Anfield legacy endures despite the Klopp bust-up.

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