Last Dance? Zimbabwean Footballer Endorsed by Benzema Hints at Quitting National Team Aged 28

Tino Kadewere Hints at Retirement Amidst Criticism

Zimbabwean footballer Tinotenda Kadewere has taken an unexpected turn in his career, moving from being endorsed by Real Madrid great Karim Benzema to hinting at retirement from international football at the age of 28.

Also read: Zimbabwe Footballer Endorsed By Karim Benzema Joins La Liga To Challenge For Golden Boot

Tino Kadewere Hints at Retirement Amid Criticism

Kadewere, who has faced a barrage of criticism after being called up by interim Warriors coach Jairos Tapera has hinted at retirement.

The Zimbabwe senior men’s team forward, who plays for Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyon is one of the foreign-based players who were called up by Tapera.

Zimbabwe is set to resume their 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Group C campaign on 7 June when they host Lesotho at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg. Four days later, they will face South Africa in Bloemfontein.

A section of Zimbabweans believe that Kadewere should not have been called up to the national team. They argue that the former Prince Edward student, who has struggled to secure a first-team spot at Lyon and has been loaned out by the Ligue 1 club for the second successive season, should have been dropped from the national team altogether.

Also read: Good News For Injured Tino Kadewere As Lyon Make Important Decision

Kadewere Hints At “Last Dance” with Warriors

The pressure appears to have taken a toll on Tinotenda Kadewere, as he has now hinted at retiring from playing for Zimbabwe’s national team. The hint suggests that next week’s games against Lesotho and South Africa could be his final appearances in national colours.

Kadewere took to his Facebook page, sharing a picture of himself in the Zimbabwe national team jersey and captioning it with the hashtag “last dance,” accompanied by Drake’s “God’s Plan” playing in the background.

If Kadewere were to quit the national team, he would follow in the footsteps of former Warriors teammates Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat, who also turned their backs on the Zimbabwe national team.