French-Algerian midfielder Benjamin Stambouli has retired from football at the age of 36, bringing his playing career to a close after leaving FC Metz.
Stambouli’s retirement was recorded on 3 September 2026, following his departure from Metz at the start of July. He had joined the Ligue 1 club on a free transfer in September 2024 after a period without a club, and spent his final playing seasons in France.
The defensive midfielder began his senior career with Montpellier, progressing from the club’s youth system to the first team. He made 165 Ligue 1 appearances in total, featuring for Montpellier, Paris St-Germain, Tottenham and Stade Reims during his career in France and England.
Stambouli won the French title twice, first with Montpellier in 2011-12 and later with Paris St-Germain in 2015-16. His honours with PSG also included the French Cup, French League Cup and two French Super Cups.
He moved from Montpellier to Tottenham in September 2014 for €5.9m, before joining PSG for €8.6m the following year. After one season in Paris, Stambouli switched to German club Schalke 04 for €8m in August 2016 and went on to make 105 Bundesliga appearances.
His career later took him to Turkey, where he played for Adana Demirspor. He joined the club from Schalke on a free transfer in July 2021 and made 82 appearances in the Turkish Super Lig, registering four goals and nine assists.
Stambouli returned to France with Reims in February 2024, also on a free transfer, before moving to Metz later that year. Across his career, he also appeared in the Champions League, Europa League, Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup and German Cup.
The Marseille-born player, who stood 1.80m tall and preferred his right foot, finished with more than 100 Bundesliga appearances and 165 Ligue 1 appearances among his senior career records. He also made 12 Premier League appearances during his time with Tottenham.
Stambouli’s final recorded move was from Metz to an unattached status in July 2026, before his retirement was registered two months later. His professional career is now complete.
