Jari Litmanen has made a surprising return to football at the age of 55, 14 years after retiring from the pitch. The former Barcelona, Liverpool, and Ajax striker has been registered by the Estonian fourth-division team Tallinna Kalev III, where his two sons, 17-year-old Caro and 19-year-old Bruno, also play.
Litmanen initially tried playing with them in a youth match in October but has now decided to officially register to be part of the team and share the dressing room with his sons. Additionally, the club is owned by former Liverpool player Ragnar Klavan, which facilitated the return of the Finnish legend.
Jari Litmanen, ranked third for the Ballon d'Or in 1995 and a European champion with Ajax that same year, has won a total of 23 official trophies and played 137 matches for the Finnish national team. He has also worn the jerseys of Barcelona, Liverpool, and Fulham.
After 14 years of inactivity following his retirement in 2012, Litmanen appears to be returning to enjoy football and share on-field moments with his two sons in Estonia. His comeback brings a special media dimension to the small Tallinna Kalev III team.