India’s Trailblazing Goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan Announces Retirement From Football Exactly a decade after becoming the first Indian woman to play professional football in Europe, the trailblazing Aditi Chauhan has decided to announce her retirement from the game after a career spanning 17 years.
Exactly a decade after becoming the first Indian woman to play professional football in Europe, the trailblazing Aditi Chauhan has decided to announce her retirement from the game after a career spanning 17 years. The former India women’s team goalkeeper, 32, now wants to work off the pitch and build a “stronger pathway and ecosystem” for the next generation. “Thank you, football for shaping me, testing me, and carrying me through. After 17 unforgettable years, I’m retiring from professional football with deep gratitude and pride,” Aditi wrote in a social media post on Thursday.
Jude Bellingham played at the Club World Cup with a brace in finishing his second season with Real Madrid after joining from Borussia Dortmund.
“This game gave me more than just a career; it gave me an identity. From chasing a dream in Delhi to carving out my own path all the way to the UK, where I pursued my Master’s in Sports Management and played for West Ham United – I walked a road with no clear map.
“I never had to choose between education and passion. I fought hard to do both, and that balance has defined me,” she added.
During a successful international career, Aditi, who caught everyone’s attention after being signed up by West Ham United for the Women’s Super League in England, donned the India jersey 57 times and, among others, was part of the senior teams that won the SAFF Women’s Championship in 2012, 2016 and 2019.
“I gave everything to the game my focus, my fire, my body all in pursuit of that No. 1 jersey for India. But behind the highlights were the quiet battles: the fear of the unknown, the pressure to justify that my path was valid, and the persistent question from society – ‘How would you possibly make a living playing football?’ “And then, the injuries. Coming back not once, but twice from ACL injuries, I believe I set an example for other players that one could overcome anything with mental courage. The pain, the doubt, the silence – it was a battle I had to win from within.” She spent two seasons with West Ham before returning to India in early 2018, before joining Gokulam Kerala FC for the 2019-20 Indian Women’s League.
At the domestic level, Aditi won the Indian Women’s League (IWL) title with Gokulam Kerala FC in 2019-20 and 2021-22 besides reaching the semi-finals of the AFC Women’s Club Championship and securing a third-place finish.
Real Madrid attacking midfielder Jude Bellingham is likely to be out of action for three months after he was required to undergo surgery for his dislocated left shoulder sustained on November 5, 2023.
What I’m most proud of as a professional athlete is the consistency. Across 17 years, I kept coming back — through setbacks, through injuries, through every doubt and earned the No. 1 spot time and again. My parents stood by me, picked me up when I needed, pushed me when I slacked a bit. Everything that I am, the things I’ve been able to achieve have been possible because of my mom, who’s quietly just ridden this crazy ride with me and I can’t thank god enough for giving her as my mom.
In her final season, she played a key role for the newly-promoted Sribhumi FC, helping the Kolkata-based side to a third-place finish in the IWL.
As she steps away from the pitch, Aditi said she still has “plenty left in the tank to give to the sport” that made her the person that she is today.
As I now step into life beyond the pitch, I carry that belief with me not as a player anymore, but as someone committed to building a stronger pathway and ecosystem for the next generation.
“My second half is about giving back to the game that gave me everything,” Aditi wrote.
“The formula remains the same: dream big, believe in yourself, and put in the work,” she signed off.
“Our player Jude Bellingham has undergone successful surgery for a recurrent left shoulder dislocation,” said Real Madrid in a statement. “Bellingham will now begin a period of rehabilitation prior to his return to recovery work.”
Bellingham, when playing against Real Vallecano in La Liga, collided with a defender in the second half of the game and landed awkwardly on his left arm. This caused his shoulder to pop out of place, causing him discomfort for one and a half years. He chose to carry on without surgery. He had been able to play while wearing a brace.
Bellingham played at the Club World Cup in finishing his second season with Madrid after joining from Borussia Dortmund.
It was never speculated how long Bellingham would miss out on Real Madrid’s games, but many Spanish outlets have reported it to be around 10-12 weeks or 3-4 months.
The England Midfielder held off surgery until his last game against Champions League winners PSG in the Club World Cup semi-finals, which Madrid lost 4-0.
The 22-year-old is set to miss seven games for Real Madrid, including a fierce match against city rivals Atletico Madrid and the possibility of missing the first El Clasico of the season on 26 October. Madrid opens its La Liga campaign on August 19 against Osasuna. He is also expected to miss some Champions League games and likely England’s World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia in September.
“I’ve got the point where… I’m fed up with the brace, and having to tug on it and having (other) players tug on it, and it rearranging all the time,” said Bellingham during the Club World Cup.
The England Midfielder held off surgery until his last game against Champions League winners PSG in the Club World Cup semi-finals, which Madrid lost 4-0.
The 22-year-old is set to miss seven games for Real Madrid, including a fierce match against city rivals Atletico Madrid and the possibility of missing the first El Clasico of the season on 26 October. Madrid opens its La Liga campaign on August 19 against Osasuna. He is also expected to miss some Champions League games and likely England’s World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia in September.
“I’ve got the point where… I’m fed up with the brace, and having to tug on it and having (other) players tug on it, and it rearranging all the time,” said Bellingham during the Club World Cup.
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In an impressive £60 million agreement, Chelsea signed João Pedro from Brighton. Newcastle also bid £50 million, but Pedro made it clear he only wanted Chelsea.
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Following Kevin De Bruyne’s move to Napoli, Manchester City signed Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan for £46.3 million. The Dutch midfielder will be part of City’s midfield rebuild for the 2025/26 Premier League season. Despite the team’s early exit at the Club World Cup, he impressed manager Pep Guardiola with his performances and versatility, suggesting he could be a strong addition to the squad.
Milos Kerkez from AFC Bournemouth has effectively moved to Liverpool on 26 June with a five-year contract at £40 million. The Hungarian left-back is determined to play a heavy part in the club’s success.
The move addresses Liverpool’s ageing defence, with veterans like Andrew Robertson and Virgil van Dijk already in their 30s. Kerkez’s inclusion is to add a younger, dynamic spirit to the club’s strong lineup.
See them at the 2025/26 EPL season
The 2025/26 EPL season is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet, with these high-profile transfers adding fresh firepower to top clubs. As teams reinforce their lineups and fans gear up for kickoff, all eyes will be on how these new signings perform under pressure.