Former Arsenal and Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri has announced his retirement from football at the age of 34.
He told French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche that his 2018 ban for a doping violation was a major factor in his decision.
The Frenchman, who also played in the Premier League for West Ham United, has been without a club since leaving Anderlecht in 2020.
He also made 41 appearances for France.
An attacking midfielder who began his career at Marseille, Nasri’s star began to rise after joining Arsenal in 2008, for whom he scored 18 goals over three seasons.
He then secured two Premier League winners medals with Manchester City, including helping the club to their first title in 2011-12.
However, by 2016 he had fallen out of the plans of both Manuel Pellegrini and Pep Guardiola, resulting in a loan move to Sevilla, followed by a permanent switch to Antalyaspor.
In February 2018, UEFA gave Nasri a six-month ban, later extended by a further 12 months, after a drip treatment broke WADA’s anti-doping regulations.
Nasri said: “An episode hurt me very badly and changed my relationship with football: my suspension.
“I found that more than unfair, I had not taken any doping product. It was just an injection of vitamins because I was sick. It cut me off in my tracks.”
Following his return from suspension, Nasri had short-term spells at West Ham and Anderlecht.
(Photo: Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
