Samir Nasri announces retirement from football at the age of 34

Manchester City's Samir Nasri celebrates after scoring against AS Roma during their Champions League Group E soccer match at the Olympic Stadium in Rome December 10, 2014. [Reuters, Max Rossi]

Former Arsenal, Manchester City and France international midfielder Samir Nasri has announced his retirement from football at the age of 34.

Speaking to French outlet Le Journal du Dimanche, Nasri cited his 2018 doping incident as a leading cause to his derailed football career. 

"An incident really hurt me and changed my relationship with football: my suspension. I found it more than unfair as I didn't take any drugs. It was just an injection of vitamins because I was sick. It stopped me in my tracks," said Nasri. 

In 2018 was slapped with an 18-month UEFA ban after being found guilty of a doping violation. 

Nasri reportedly received treatment at a Los Angeles clinic in 2016, breaching World Anti-Doping Agency rules. 

Nasri made the big move to Arsenal from Marseille in 2008 and donned Gunners colours for three years, before moving to the Etihad Stadium to play for Manchester City in 2011. 

At City, he managed to win two Premier League titles and a League Cup. 

The 34-year-old then joined Sevilla on loan in 2016, before reuniting with former teammate Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht in 2019.  

Nasri has also had spells at Antalyaspor and West Ham. 

Since his release, he has been working as a pundit with French Television Canal +.