Goodbye to a two-time Copa América champion: Mauricio Isla announces retirement

Mauricio Isla has said goodbye to professional football at 38, closing the career of one of Chile’s most experienced right-backs. The two-time Copa América champion announced his decision on Sept. 7, the same date on which he made his professional debut in 2007.

That first appearance came in a Chile friendly against Switzerland, with Marcelo Bielsa as coach. Isla said he chose the date deliberately, tying his farewell to the beginning of his professional journey.

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out of respect and love for my family

“Writing this is not easy,” Isla began in an emotional letter. He recalled the boy who had to take a bus to pursue his dream of becoming a footballer and said his beginnings had not been easy. To go far, he wrote, he understood that he had to give everything.

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Writing this is not easy. Many memories are coming to mind, from that boy who had to get on a bus and travel to try to fulfill his dream of becoming a footballer.

Isla said football had given him friends, education, habits and stability for his family. He also said the sport taught him that someone from a low-income neighborhood can dream and turn those dreams into reality.

He remembered José Sulantay, who coached Chile at the 2007 Under-20 World Cup in Canada, as well as Bielsa. Isla said he was retiring “out of respect and love for my family,” bringing an extensive career to an end.

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Football gave me friends, education, habits and stability for my family. It also taught me that, coming from a low-income neighborhood, one can dream and turn those dreams into reality.