Tunisian defender Yassine Meriah has retired from football at the age of 33 after two years of persistent knee pain, ending a playing career that included 95 appearances for the national team.
Meriah announced his decision on social media, explaining that his health had become the main reason for ending his career after more than 13 years as a professional footballer.
The former Tunisia international said he had continued playing despite the pain and had relied on medication, but eventually reached a point where painkillers were no longer enough to allow him to continue.
Meriah said: “After much thought between myself and myself, I decided today to stop playing football for one reason, which is a health reason. For two years I have been suffering from a lot of pain in my knee, and I tried as much as possible to play with painkillers, but the time came when even painkillers were no longer effective.”
He added: “I hope I have had a respectable career, and I gave my all to every team I played for. Thank you to everyone who helped me, even with just a kind word. Goodbye, football.”
Meriah began his career with Ariana Sports Association before joining Etoile Sportive de Metlaoui in 2013, where he made his first appearances in the Tunisian top flight.
His performances soon attracted attention, including 27 league appearances for Etoile du Sahel before he moved to Club Sportif Sfaxien in January 2015.
Sfaxien proved to be an important stage in his development. Meriah made 95 appearances for the club in all competitions and scored six goals, establishing himself among the prominent defenders in the Tunisian league.
His performances also earned him a place in the Tunisia national team.
In 2018, Meriah moved abroad for the first time when he joined Greek club Olympiacos. He made 44 appearances and scored once, while also gaining experience in European competitions.
He subsequently spent time on loan at Turkish club Kasimpasa in January 2020 before returning briefly to Olympiacos and later joining Rizespor. He played 28 matches for the Turkish side and scored one goal.
Meriah moved to the United Arab Emirates in 2021, joining Al Ain. He made 11 appearances and scored once during his time at the club.
The defender also collected two trophies with Al Ain in the 2021-22 season, winning the UAE League title and the UAE Professional League Cup.
Meriah returned to Tunisia in August 2022 when he joined Esperance Sportive de Tunis, beginning one of the most significant periods of his club career.
He became an important member of Esperance’s defence and also wore the captain’s armband in several matches. During his time with the club, he won the Tunisian league in the 2021-22, 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, as well as the Tunisian Cup and Tunisian Super Cup.
He also represented Esperance in the CAF Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup, making more than 100 appearances for the club in all competitions.
In July 2026, Meriah joined Club Africain on a free transfer and signed a two-year contract. The move was intended to begin another chapter in his career, but he has now decided to retire while still contracted to the club.
At international level, Meriah made his Tunisia debut in 2015 and went on to become a regular member of the Carthage Eagles’ defence.
He won 95 caps and scored six goals for Tunisia, appearing at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as well as several Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
One of the highlights of his international career came at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where Tunisia finished fourth and Meriah was selected in the tournament’s team of the competition.
He was also part of the Tunisia side that reached the final of the 2021 Arab Cup.
After spells in Tunisia, Greece, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, along with domestic and continental honours, Meriah has brought his career to an end because of the knee problems that have affected him for the past two years.
After 95 international appearances and more than a decade of professional football, his final message was: “Goodbye football.”
