Napoli legend announces retirement. Dries Mertens is leaving football

The Galatasaray forward has revealed that this season was his last at the top level.

Details: 38-year-old Dries Mertens has announced his decision to retire from professional football. Over the course of his illustrious career, the Belgian played for Gent in his homeland, Dutch sides Go Ahead Eagles, Utrecht, and PSV, Italian giants Napoli, and Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray.

The most significant chapter of Mertens’ career was with Napoli, where he became the club’s all-time leading scorer, netting 128 goals between 2013 and 2022.

However, fans will get to see Mertens take the pitch one last time—he’s promised to play in the farewell match of his former teammate Marek Hamšík:

"I’ve finished my career, but I’ll step onto the field one more time—for you, Marek!" Mertens said.

For Belgium, Dries Mertens earned 109 caps, scoring 21 goals and providing 33 assists for the national team.

Both Napoli and Galatasaray have already thanked Dries on social media for his loyalty and immense contribution to each club.

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