Former Tottenham Hotspur and England star Dele Alli is reportedly contemplating retirement at the age of 29, following his exclusion from Como’s plans under head coach Cesc Fabregas, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The English midfielder, once hailed as a prodigy, has faced a challenging career trajectory marked by injuries and limited playing time, culminating in a mere 10-minute Serie A appearance for Como, where he was sent off.
This development has sparked widespread discussion about the future of a player once considered among Europe’s elite.
Dele Alli’s journey to this pivotal moment began with promise. Emerging from Milton Keynes Dons’ youth system at age 11, he broke into their senior team by 16, scoring 24 goals in 88 appearances.
His talent earned a £5 million move to Tottenham Hotspur in 2015, where he shone under Mauricio Pochettino. Alli’s 2016-17 season was exceptional, netting 22 goals across all competitions and earning consecutive PFA Young Player of the Year awards.
His flair, versatility, and goal-scoring prowess made him a standout, with 37 England caps, including a goal at the 2018 World Cup. However, injuries and off-field struggles disrupted his rise, leading to a decline in form and strained relationships with managers like José Mourinho and Antonio Conte at Spurs.
After leaving Tottenham in January 2022, Alli’s attempts to revive his career faltered. A free transfer to Everton yielded little success, and a loan spell at Besiktas in 2022-23 was marred by a serious groin injury that sidelined him for nearly a year.
By July 2024, Alli was a free agent, training with Everton to regain fitness. Como, newly promoted to Serie A and led by Fabregas, offered a lifeline in January 2025 with an 18-month contract.
Dele Alli’s red card
The move was seen as a chance for a career rebirth, with Alli aiming to secure a spot in England’s 2026 World Cup squad. Yet, his debut against AC Milan on March 15 proved disastrous.
Substituting in the 81st minute, Alli received a straight red card in the 91st minute for a reckless challenge on Ruben Loftus-Cheek, a moment that went viral as teammate Kyle Walker pleaded with the referee.
Since that nine-minute cameo, Alli has not played competitively for Como. Despite serving his suspension, he has been named on the bench for seven matches without seeing the field.
Cesc Fabregas plans
Fabregas, reportedly unimpressed with Alli’s fitness and form, has excluded him from first-team training, relegating him to solitary sessions alongside other surplus players.
With Como focusing on younger, fitter talents for the 2025-26 Serie A campaign, Alli’s contract, which runs until June 2026, appears increasingly untenable. Reports suggest Brazilian club Gremio has been offered his services, but with limited options, Alli is seriously weighing retirement.
This potential end marks a stark contrast to Alli’s meteoric rise. At Tottenham, he was celebrated for his intelligence in the box, often likened to a striker, and his midfield dynamism.
Pundits like Rafael van der Vaart praised his fluid skill set, while Frank Lampard lauded his ability to evade markers. Yet, recurring injuries, including hamstring and groin issues, coupled with personal challenges, such as a publicized battle with addiction and a traumatic childhood, derailed his progress.
Dele Alli’s Tottenham career decline
Alli’s openness about his struggles, including a stint in rehab, highlighted the pressures he faced. His candid admission of contemplating retirement at 24 during Mourinho’s tenure at Spurs, as revealed in the All or Nothing documentary, shows the depth of his challenges.
The football world has reacted with sympathy and reflection. Fans and analysts recall Alli’s peak as “the golden boy of English football,” a moniker coined by journalist Phil McNulty, now juxtaposed against his status as a “lost talent.”
Mourinho knew!pic.twitter.com/EhzMJYa0c8
— X | UnitedFootball (@X_footballC) August 3, 2025
Mourinho’s resurfaced advice from 2020, urging Alli to seize his potential before time runs out, adds a poignant note to his current crossroads. As Como prepares for matches against Ajax and Celtic, their ambitions under Fabregas signal a shift away from Alli, whose 386 career appearances, 94 goals, and 69 assists may mark the end of a once-brilliant journey.
Alli’s situation raises broader questions about career longevity and mental health in football. The pressures of sustaining elite performance, compounded by physical setbacks, have led many to speculate whether he might explore opportunities outside Europe, such as in the MLS or Saudi Pro League, before retiring.
For now, Alli trains alone, with a decision expected soon. His story serves as a reminder of football’s unforgiving nature, where even the brightest stars can fade swiftly.
