Former Celtic man Charly Musonda has opened up on the sequence of events that led to him retiring at age 28.
Signed to much fanfare by Brendan Rodgers in the 2017-18 January transfer window, the winger was one of the hottest young talents in European football at the time.
He had just spent 18 months on loan at Real Betis in La Liga and had already scored for Chelsea in the Premier League.
But it was his move to Celtic that marked the beginning of his complete nosedive in fortunes, as he has now explained.
Who is a loan player you fell ln love with while they were at Celtic?
Ex-Celtic man Charly Musonda on when he knew Chelsea career was over
After his Hoops loan was terminated early, he suffered a serious injury in the following pre-season with Chelsea, telling BBC Sport: “I won’t lie. Mentally, yes, it’s been very difficult.
“One studs‑up tackle cost me four years of my career. Doctors told me I had a 20 per cent chance of ever playing again.
READ MORE: Luis Palma addresses plans for ‘second chance’ at Celtic after successful loan
“During the September international break, I was playing a friendly in Antwerp.
The ball was in the air and the guy just put his studs into my knee. I was told I would be out for two months – it ended up being nearly four years.”
Despite Chelsea’s objections, Musonda followed his private doctor’s advice and underwent surgery. His ten-month recovery was further delayed by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, which limited his access to club facilities.
To stay on track, he personally funded private physiotherapy in Dubai—incurring a fine from Chelsea, though he credits the move for his return to fitness. However, despite initial interest from manager Thomas Tuchel, Musonda never featured and left the club in 2022.
Musonda added: “I met [Tomas] Tuchel in the car park and he told me he knew who I was from [Borussia] Dortmund and to be ready for the following pre-season.
“I came back and was told to sign a contract at half my salary and to go out on loan by Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini, the loan coach.
“I was also told I would be training with the Under-23s but I pulled one of Tuchel’s coaches aside and he said it was a mistake – that I was travelling with them to Ireland the next day for the tour. I trained there and I got Covid. A nightmare.
“When I returned, Tuchel told me there was some animosity in the front office.
“I said I would have played for free that season to prove myself at Chelsea and that if I wasn’t good enough, I would walk away when my contract expired.
“I knew from September that I wouldn’t play and it was tough, especially after being told I had only a 20 per cent chance of playing football again when I had the surgery to then feeling fully fit.
“I just needed an opportunity at Chelsea, but it was a tough sell after so long out. Mentally, that was one of the toughest moments. It killed me. Chelsea was where I wanted to make it.”
Who is the worst Celtic signing of all time?
After a brief, unsuccessful year at Levante – cut short by the club’s failure to gain promotion and subsequent budget cuts – Musonda moved to Anorthosis in Cyprus. He eventually left over unpaid wages, ultimately retiring in 2024.
“In Spain I left early, in Cyprus I wasn’t paid. I had to walk away and leave money behind – still haven’t been paid.”
Musonda is now based in LA, developing the LS1 Football League, a one-vs-one-based game designed for internet audiences.
He made eight appearances for Celtic, including just two starts. His most memorable contribution was a fine assist for Callum McGregor’s winner against Zenit in the Europa League.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
