10 brilliant careers that ended in 2015

The conclusion of the year offers a time for fans to reflect upon the careers of their heroes who called time on their storied careers.

These players - once admired for their innovation on the pitch and revered by opponents - eventually wound up as a shadow of their former selves and made the difficult decision to walk away from the one staple in their lives: football.

Here's a list of the top players who called it a career in 2015:

1. Raul

Few players can compare to the accomplishments on Raul's resume. A career that spanned just over two decades was highlighted by the Spaniard's trophy-laden tenure with Real Madrid, where he captained Los Blancos for seven seasons.

With three Champions League titles and more than a handful of La Liga trophies to his name, Raul easily represents the biggest loss to the football world in 2015 after ending his 21-year career.

2. Juan Roman Riquelme

It's rare to find a comparable player lost to retirement this year like Juan Roman Riquelme, especially one that displayed the passing wizardry featured in his brand of football. Whether he was in his home country with Boca Juniors or starring with Barcelona, the Argentine's vision on the pitch was an aspect of his game few could match, or defend, as Riquelme oozed confidence while playing without a shred of panic in the midfield.

3. Abby Wambach

Abby Wambach's retirement represents a void that the United States Women's National Team may never be able to fill. In fact, her career and achievements on the biggest stages of the sport will undoubtedly be a positive influence on a nation blossoming into a regular contender in both the male and female brands of soccer for years, if not decades, to come.

4. Rio Ferdinand

The writing was on the wall when Rio Ferdinand departed Manchester United for a relegation fight with Queens Park Rangers. But even the conclusion to his career - a move he made in order to play with his brother - couldn't put a dent in Ferdinand's trophy-laden time with the Red Devils.

5. Rogerio Ceni

There won't be another like Rogerio Ceni. Book it. You'd be hard-pressed to find another place in the world that lets a goalkeeper feature regularly as the team's free-kick specialist like Sao Paolo. Ceni brought his career to an end after 23 season with the Brazilian outfit and leaves among the club's top 10 all-time scorers.

6. Djibril Cisse

A career ravaged by injuries inspired one of the great "what if" questions as Djibril Cisse showed flashes of brilliance whenever he wasn't on the sidelines nursing a knock. While the majority of his career was spent in France, it was Cisse's time with Liverpool where he captured imaginations on a bigger scale.

7. Kevin Davies

Perhaps one of the last truly loyal players in the modern game, Kevin Davies decided to hang up his boots following a brief stint with Championship side Preston North End. But it's his time with Bolton that most fans will remember when thinking about Davies after representing the Wanderers for 10 years.

8. Homare Sawa

One of the most illustrious careers in Japanese football just wrapped up as Homare Sawa touched the ball in a competitive match for the last time Sunday. The 2011 World Women’s Player of the Year bowed out of football after her appearance in the Empress' Cup to end a career that spanned 25 years and featured 83 goals in 205 games for Japan.

9. Damien Duff

Though it's been three years since Damien Duff donned the famous green strips, the Republic of Ireland saw one of its most capped players close the book on his career. Duff made stops in Australia and in his home country after making a name for himself in England with Fulham, Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Blackburn Rovers.

10. Marcel Jansen

Marcel Jansen might have the saddest conclusion to his career as injuries ended the 29-year-old's dream. His refusal to wear a crest other than Hamburger SV was the eventual end to Jansen's brief career when the former German international said, "I can't just suddenly kiss another badge now."