Mirror Football
October 11, 2026
Former Southampton striker Billy Sharp broke down in tears after announcing his retirement from football live on TV. Sharp, aged 40, appeared on Sky Sports as a pundit ahead of the Saints' Championship derby clash with Portsmouth on Sunday.
He was shown a montage of his career highlights that included many of his old team-mates and managers sending him messages after hanging up his boots. It ended with a clip of Sharp parading his young son on his shoulders after his final match for Sheffield United.
Sharp, who most recently played for Doncaster Rovers last season, began to well up after the montage, which looked back on his 22-year career. He said while choking back tears: "I didn't know that was coming. You make a lot of friends in football and... that was tough [sobs]."
Presenter Jules Breach stepped in to console the former forward, patting him on the shoulder while saying: "Aw, that's brilliant for you. Good for you mate. It's lovely to see and it's an amazing career. So what is next for you, if you can still talk?"
Sharp replied: "I've loved working with you guys. I have been lucky to have this platform to show my goalscoring on Sky and in the EFL.
"I've got plans for the future. I've just had a newborn baby so I've taken some time off for that. I have taken some time to make that decision. I am incredibly proud of my career.
"I have done my coaching badges and the LMA manager diploma but I do love doing this with you guys. I reckon I can do more."
An emotional Sharp had only announced his retirement minutes earlier live on Sky Sports while working on their coverage of Sunday’s clash at St Mary’s, where he played during the promotion-clinching 2011/12 season.
He said: "I’m going to hang the boots up. I gave it a good ride. Got a long way, got to 40. I wanted to do it on my own terms - have a choice.
"I’ve seen many friends have that taken away with injuries and things like that. I want to go out with a bang and luckily I scored a hat-trick in my last ever appearance.
"People have been saying, ‘Don’t you want to get that 300th goal?’ It would have been lovely to get that but I’ve had an unbelievable career.
"I love football. Maybe not the most talented player or liked on the pitch but I think I’ve got every single bit out of my career."
Sharp's last appearance for Doncaster in May saw him net four goals against Peterborough, which would have taken him up to 300 career goals, only for one to be ruled out for offside. He ends his career with 814 appearances, representing the likes of Sheffield United, Scunthorpe United, Rovers, Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Reading, Leeds United, LA Galaxy and Hull City.
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