Adam Masina retires from football at 32

Adam Masina has decided to retire at the age of 32, a few months after featuring for Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The defender is closing the chapter on his playing career after several years affected by injuries and physical problems.

His next step will be on the coaching staff: Masina has joined fourth-division Italian club Progresso as a technical assistant to new coach Francesco Salmi. The club confirmed in a statement that Salmi had been appointed first-team coach and that Masina was joining his staff. Masina had terminated his contract with Torino last February, after the Africa Cup, and remained without a club before announcing his retirement.

The continental tournament proved to be the final stage of his playing career. It has been reported that the final against Senegal, reached by the « Lions of the Atlas », was his last match. At the previous Africa Cup, Masina had also helped Morocco reach the final, establishing himself in the starting line-up in central defence under former coach Walid Regragui.

His injury problems included a cruciate ligament tear suffered with Udinese during the 2022-2023 season, followed by a thigh injury early in the current year. Born in Khouribga in 1994, Masina began his professional career at Bologna and contributed to the club’s promotion to the top division in 2015. He moved to Watford in 2018 before returning to Italy. After representing Italy’s under-21 side, he chose Morocco in 2021 and made 28 international appearances for the country.