BREAKING NEWS: Aaron Mooy announces SHOCK retirement aged just 32, as Socceroos hero rides high after leading Celtic to Treble.
Aaron Mooy has retired from professional football Mooy, 32, led Celtic to the Treble last season He also represented Australia at the World Cup in Qatar
Socceroos midfielder Aaron Mooy has retired from international and club football with immediate effect, bringing his decorated career to an end.
Mooy, 32, won 57 caps and scored seven goals for Australia between 2012 and 2022, appearing in two World Cups.
The former English Premier League midfielder ended his impressive club career with a brief trophy-laden spell at Scottish powerhouse Celtic under ex-Socceroos manager Ange Postecoglou.
“I have been fortunate enough to realize my dreams of playing for Australia,” Mooy said in a statement on Friday.
“As a kid, when you start football, you watch the national team on TV and imagine yourself there one day – to have experienced that is something I’m really grateful for.
Aaron Mooy has announced his retirement from football aged just 32
The midfielder was an integral part of the Socceroos squad that reached the last 16 in Qatar
“I have had the honor of playing alongside some of the best footballers Australia has ever produced, creating lifelong friendships along the way.
“This has been a very difficult decision to retire, but I think the time is right for the next generation to have the opportunity to experience international football.
“As a group we were able to set a new bar (at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar) for the Socceroos and I believe we have the talent to build on that as the work towards 2026 begins.”
Mooy’s last match for Australia was December’s World Cup round of 16 defeat to Argentina, his seventh appearance at the tournament.
The soft-spoken midfielder was crucial to Australia’s qualification for Qatar and the knockout stage.
Mooy also played a major role in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, starring in Australia’s famous off-the-bench play-off against Syria.
“We saw Aaron’s qualities as a player on full display in Qatar, he was outstanding during the World Cup and was instrumental in reaching the last 16,” Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said.
“I thought the same when I saw him in Russia, he was able to live up to it on the biggest stage in football and show how talented he really is.
The 32-year-old helped lead Celtic to the treble under compatriot Ange Postecoglou.
Mooy started out in Australia before moving to England. Made a name for himself at Huddersfield
He left Huddersfield for Brighton following the Terriers’ relegation, where he impressed
“A player like Aaron is a joy to coach, an exceptional talent who embodies the spirit of the Socceroos every time he steps onto the pitch.”
Having started his career in Europe, Mooy became a star at Melbourne City with a standout 2015-16, when he registered 11 goals and an A-League record 20 assists.
He was subsequently signed by Manchester City and loaned out to English second-tier club Huddersfield Town, winning promotion to the Premier League before signing for them on a permanent basis.
Huddersfield were relegated after two seasons in the top flight, but Mooy stayed in the EPL with Brighton, moving first on loan and then permanently.
He scored nine goals and provided six assists in 96 Premier League appearances for both clubs.
Mooy had two years interrupted by COVID-19 at Chinese club Shanghai SIPG before joining Celtic and winning the Scottish title and League Cup last season.
