Wales captain and ex-Arsenal star Ramsey retires

LONDON, England, April 7, 2026 – Wales captain and former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has retired from professional football with immediate effect.

The 35-year-old, who had been without a club since leaving Mexican side Pumas UNAM last year, is now expected to pursue a career in coaching.

Ramsey retires as one of Wales’ greatest players, scoring 21 goals in 86 appearances and representing his country at three major tournaments.

He played an integral role in Wales’ historic run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, earning a place in Uefa’s team of the tournament.

Ramsey then played at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup, Wales’ first appearance in the finals stage of that competition for 64 years.

The skilful playmaker started his career at Cardiff City before a 2008 move to Arsenal, where he won three FA Cups – scoring the winning goal in two of those finals – during his 11 years with the Gunners.

Ramsey then had spells at Juventus and Nice as well as a loan at Rangers, helping them reach the 2022 Europa League final but missing a penalty in the shootout.

He also had a second stint at boyhood club Cardiff, where he had a short period as interim head coach at the end of last season.

Ramsey joined Pumas in the hope of staying fit enough to be able to play for Wales at this summer’s World Cup had they qualified.

But having failed to find a new club since leaving Mexico, Ramsey has decided to call time on his playing career.

Ramsey thanked the supporters of Wales and the clubs he represented in his career as he announced his decision on social media.

“This has not been an easy decision to make. After a lot of consideration, I have decided to retire from football,” he wrote.

“Firstly, I want to start with Wales. It has been my privilege to wear the Welsh shirt and experience so many incredible moments in it. It would not have been possible without the incredible input of all the managers I have played under and all the staff who have helped me in many ways.

“To the Red Wall. You have been there through thick and thin! You have been there through the highs and lows, and you have been an essential and indispensable part of our success. I can’t thank you enough. We’ve been through everything together and it’s been an honour to represent you. Diolch.

“Secondly, thank you to all the clubs I’ve been lucky enough to play for. Thank you to all the managers and staff that have helped me be able to live my dream and play at the highest level.

“And a huge thank you to my wife and children and all my family. Without you by my side throughout, none of this would have been possible.”

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With the Easter weekend behind us and winter on its way, the countdown can really begin as the Springbok season creeps ever closer.

In less than three months the Springboks will kick off their season against the Barbarians, and then there will be almost no time to take a breath as Test matches will flow thick and fast.

When looking at the current player stock, the national coaches will be aware that there are some serious injuries to take note of, but there has also been good news on others who have returned to action.

Springbok injury news to note

RG Snyman: The big lock recently suffered a devastating ACL rupture while playing for Leinster. He is expected to be out for six to nine months, likely ruling him out for the remainder of the 2026 international season.

Frans Malherbe: The powerful prop was included in a recent Springbok alignment camp, and although it’s hoped that he could be available in time for the start of the Test season, it still remains unclear if he will fully recover from the back and neck issues that have threatened to force him into early retirement.

Aphelele Fassi: The fullback underwent shoulder surgery following an injury in late February. Fassi is a major doubt for the season opener, but he should be available for most of the Test season.

Pieter-Steph du Toit: The star loose forward has begun intensive rehab work after undergoing a shoulder operation and Rassie Erasmus said there was cautious optimism that Du Toit would be ready for the start of the new season.

Salmaan Moerat: The Stormers star is currently recovering from a toe injury that required surgery. The medical team is targeting a return in late May 2026, and he should be fit for the July Tests.

Lood de Jager: The big lock is also currently in South Africa recovering from hip surgery, and he is expected to remain on the sidelines for at least another four months. It’s another frustrating setback for a player who has endured regular issues with injuries during a 73-Test cap career.

Faf de Klerk: The veteran scrumhalf is back in action after recovering from injury, and he will be looking to prove his fitness and form to the Springbok coaches in hopes of earning a recall.

Cameron Hanekom: After nearly nine months out with hamstring and knee issues, the big No 8 returned to action for the Bulls this past weekend, and there will be real excitement about what he could potentially offer the Springboks this season, and with the 2027 World Cup in mind.

Fixtures for 2026:

International:

Saturday 20 June: Springboks v Barbarians (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha)

Nations Championship:

Saturday 4 July: Boks v England (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)

Saturday 11 July:Boks v Scotland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)

Saturday 18 July: Boks v Wales (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry:

Saturday 22 August: Boks v All Blacks (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)

Saturday 29 August: Boks v All Blacks (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)

Saturday 5 September: Boks v All Blacks (FNB Stadium, Johannesburg)

Saturday 12 September: Boks v All Blacks (M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA)

Once-off Test:

Sunday 27 September: Wallabies v Boks (Optus Stadium, Perth)

Nations Championship:

Saturday 7 November: Italy v Boks (Venue TBC)

Friday 13 November: France v Boks (Stade de France, Paris)

Saturday 21 November: Ireland v Boks (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)

Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November: Finals Weekend (Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London)

Propulsé une nouvelle fois sous les projecteurs, Andriy Lunin s’apprête à relever un défi de taille. En raison de la blessure de Thibaut Courtois, le portier ukrainien sera titulaire ce mardi soir avec le Real Madrid face au Bayern Munich en quart de finale de la Ligue des Champions de l’UEFA. Une responsabilité immense, tant la menace offensive bavaroise s’annonce redoutable. Affronter le Bayern Munich en Ligue des Champions n’est jamais une mince affaire, encore moins pour un gardien appelé à remplacer l’un des meilleurs au monde. Lunin devra faire face à une attaque allemande réputée pour sa puissance, sa vitesse et son efficacité. Une pression maximale, dans un contexte où chaque erreur peut coûter cher. Mais loin d’être une première pour lui, cette situation ressemble à un air de déjà-vu. Lors de la saison 2023-2024, Lunin avait déjà été propulsé titulaire après la blessure de Courtois. Une période durant laquelle il avait su répondre présent avec brio, gagnant la confiance de son entraîneur et des supporters madrilènes. En Ligue des Champions, il s’était notamment illustré lors des confrontations face au RB Leipzig, avec une performance exceptionnelle ponctuée de 9 arrêts décisifs. Mais son match référence reste sans doute celui contre Manchester City, où il avait été le héros de la séance de tirs au but en repoussant les tentatives de Bernardo Silva et Mateo Kovačić. Lunin avait également assuré face au SSC Napoli et déjà contre le Bayern Munich, démontrant qu’il pouvait tenir son rang au plus haut niveau européen. Ce nouveau choc face au Bayern Munich représente donc bien plus qu’un simple match pour Lunin. C’est l’occasion pour lui de prouver, une fois de plus, qu’il est capable d’assumer le poids du maillot madrilène dans les moments les plus cruciaux. Habitué à sortir de l’ombre lorsque son équipe en a besoin, le gardien ukrainien sait que tous les regards seront tournés vers lui. Mais fort de son expérience récente, il aborde ce rendez-vous avec la certitude d’avoir déjà réussi là où beaucoup l’attendaient au tournant. Reste désormais à écrire un nouveau chapitre. Trinité SINGBO

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Bradley Barcola ne sera pas de la partie face à Liverpool. Pourtant aperçu à l’entraînement collectif ce jour, l’ailier parisien est jugé trop juste pour disputer cette rencontre importante en Ligue des Champions. Luis Enrique a été clair en conférence de presse : la prudence prime. Victime d’une entorse à la cheville au mois de mars, l’ancien Lyonnais suit un protocole de reprise progressif. S’il a bien participé partiellement aux séances d’hier et d’aujourd’hui, le staff médical ne souhaite prendre aucun risque. « Barcola ? S’il est dans le point médical, il ne jouera pas demain. Il a participé partiellement à l’entraînement hier et aujourd’hui. Il nous dira quand il se sentira prêt », a expliqué Luis Enrique, laissant entendre que le joueur reste à l’écoute de ses sensations. Un forfait logique donc, dans une saison où le PSG aura encore besoin de la vitesse et de la percussion de Barcola sur les ailes. Le club préfère miser sur un retour à 100 % plutôt que de précipiter les choses à la veille d’un choc européen.

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Réunies en Congrès, les deux chambres du Parlement camerounais ont adopté samedi 4 avril la loi révisant la Constitution pour instaurer un poste de vice-président, faisant de lui le successeur constitutionnel du chef de l’État, un suppléant chargé automatiquement de terminer le mandat du chef de l’État en cas de décès, démission ou empêchement définitif de ce dernier. Un tournant majeur qui laisse les Camerounais avec beaucoup de questions, mais clarifie aussi, selon les observateurs quelque soit leur bord politique, les contours des préoccupations au sommet de l’État.