Dele Alli is considering ending his playing career at the age of 29, according to several Italian media outlets, including La Gazzetta dello Sport. His situation at Como has become hopeless.
Dele Alli’s career, once filled with promise and global recognition, appears to be approaching an unexpected and early end.
The 29-year-old midfielder, once hailed as the future of English football, is now reportedly considering retirement after a frustrating and fruitless stint at Italian side Como. What was initially seen as a potential revival under coach Cesc Fàbregas has turned into yet another dead end in a career that has dramatically declined over the past few years.
When Alli signed an eighteen-month contract with Como in January, there was cautious optimism surrounding the move. After spending six months without a club following his departure from Everton, the opportunity to work under Fàbregas a footballing icon and someone who understands the demands of a creative midfielder was seen as a lifeline. Como, freshly promoted to Serie A and with an ambitious ownership group investing heavily in the squad, provided what seemed like the perfect platform for a comeback.
But the reality was far from ideal. Alli arrived lacking match fitness and needing significant time to get up to speed. His long absence from competitive football was evident, and while there was some patience from the coaching staff, the pressure to deliver grew quickly. His long-awaited debut came on March 15 in an away fixture against AC Milan, one of Italy’s most storied clubs. However, the return to the spotlight turned into a nightmare. Just nine minutes after entering the pitch as a second-half substitute, Alli was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge an incident that seemed to encapsulate his ongoing struggles both physically and mentally.
That moment would be his last appearance for the club. Despite being named on the bench several times in the following weeks, he was never called upon again. Como’s management, meanwhile, continued their project of building a competitive Serie A side, bringing in younger, hungrier talent. The arrivals of Jayden Addai from AZ Alkmaar and Nicolas Kühn, formerly of Ajax and Bayern Munich’s youth ranks, underlined the club’s focus on the future. Alli, by contrast, was quietly sidelined. He now trains separately, away from the main squad, along with other players deemed surplus to requirements.
Reports from within the club suggest that Alli’s isolation has taken a toll on him. Although there has been no official comment from the player himself, sources close to the situation indicate that he is seriously considering retirement. The thought of walking away from football at just 29 would have been unthinkable a few years ago but given his struggles with form, injuries, and motivation, it now feels like a plausible outcome.
Alli’s decline has been steep and sobering. After bursting onto the Premier League scene with Tottenham Hotspur in 2015, he quickly became one of the most exciting talents in European football. Playing under Mauricio Pochettino, he thrived as an attacking midfielder, forming a deadly partnership with Harry Kane and becoming a regular goalscorer from midfield. His flair, timing, and instinctive finishing made him a nightmare for defenders. At his peak, he was a two-time PFA Young Player of the Year and a mainstay in the England national team, earning 37 caps and representing his country at the 2018 World Cup, where England reached the semi-finals.
Picked up from League One side MK Dons for just £5 million, Alli looked like a generational talent. But as quickly as he rose, his form began to fade. Following Pochettino’s departure from Spurs, Alli struggled to adapt under new managers, including José Mourinho. His playing time dwindled, and with it, his confidence. A move to Everton in January 2022 was meant to provide a fresh start, but it proved similarly unproductive. He failed to score or assist in 13 appearances and was eventually loaned out to Turkish side Beşiktaş. There too, his form was inconsistent, and his time in Istanbul ended without making a real impact.
Behind the scenes, Alli has also battled personal challenges. In 2023, he gave an emotional interview revealing his struggles with mental health, childhood trauma, and the pressures of professional football. It was a rare moment of vulnerability from a player often misunderstood by the media and public. While the interview won widespread praise for its honesty, it also revealed the depth of the issues that may have contributed to his sharp decline on the pitch.
Now, at a crossroads, Alli faces a difficult decision. Does he continue to pursue a comeback, potentially at a lower level or in a different country, or does he walk away from the game altogether and begin a new chapter of his life? Retirement at 29 is rare, especially for someone who was once so highly regarded. But for Alli, whose career has been marked by dizzying highs and painful lows, it may be the most honest path forward.
Whether he chooses to continue or not, Alli’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the volatility of football careers, the importance of mental health, and the fine margins between superstardom and struggle. From lighting up White Hart Lane with moments of magic to now training alone in Italy, his journey has been anything but ordinary.
