Bafetimbi Gomis has officially declared his retirement from professional football, marking the end of a magnificent and eventful career.
The 39-year-old French striker made the news soon before the rivalry match between Olympique Lyon and Saint-Étienne, where he spent key years of his career.
Gomis made the announcement via DAZN, saying, “I chose this symbolic day, just before the match between the two clubs where I grew up, to announce my decision.”
Gomis has been without a club since leaving Kawasaki Frontale at the end of last season. Instead of waiting any longer, he decided it was time to properly end the game.
Starting his professional journey at Saint-Étienne, Gomis scored 49 goals across 165 matches. He later joined Lyon, where he achieved 95 goals in 244 appearances. Known for his unique “panther” celebration after each goal, he became a fan favorite and etched a lasting legacy.
Beyond his stints at Lyon and Saint-Étienne, Gomis also played for clubs such as Troyes, Swansea City, Marseille, Galatasaray, Al Hilal, and Kawasaki Frontale. Across his entire club career, he tallied 347 goals and 75 assists in 783 matches. Gomis also earned 12 caps for the French national team, scoring three goals.
As he steps away from the sport, Gomis will be remembered as a prolific striker whose passion, celebrations, and scoring ability left an indelible mark on football.