Arthur Desmas retires from professional football at age 32

French goalkeeper Arthur Desmas has announced his retirement from professional football due to the long-term effects of multiple concussions. The 32-year-old, who most recently played for Al-Duhail in Qatar, stated that the decision was made following medical advice from a neurosurgeon.

Desmas reported experiencing various physical and cognitive symptoms, including headaches, cervical pain, vision issues, and difficulties with concentration and immediate memory. He noted that a realization of the severity of his condition occurred during a personal moment when he struggled to react to a ball thrown by his son.

Having played for clubs such as Le Havre, Clermont, Rodez, Niort, and Brest, Desmas expressed a desire to use his experience to raise awareness about concussions in football. He highlighted that while contact sports like rugby or boxing frequently address the issue, the risks of concussions in football are often insufficiently discussed.