Valentino Rossi announces retirement from MotoGP after 25 years in the sport

Valentino Rossi has announced his retirement from MotoGP at the end of this season, calling an end to an illustrious 26-year career in Grand Prix racing.

Rossi, who races with the number 46, is a nine times world champion with seven coming in the top category.

 “I have decided to stop at the end of the season,” said Rossi. “It’s been a very long trip but really great fun.”

“It’s a very sad moment because it’s difficult to say and know that next year I will not race with a motorcycle, I’ve done that for I think more or less 30 years.”

F1 stars were quick to pay tribute on social media to the motor racing legend after his glorious reign came to an end.

7 titles 🙇
89 race wins 🙇
1 incredible career 🙇

Congratulations @ValeYellow46 – and wishing you all the best for your final @MotoGP season 👊 pic.twitter.com/yt9ZDPJ8UX

— Formula 1 (@F1) August 5, 2021

Ciao @ValeYellow46, it’s been wonderful watching you perform on race tracks around the world for all these years and it was also fantastic to share days like this together. Thanks for all the great moments you have given us and best of luck for whatever you do next! #GrazieVale pic.twitter.com/HEI53ZYwRv

— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) August 5, 2021

I have idolised @ValeYellow46 ever since I was a kid. My kart was #46 and covered in Rossi stickers. He’s continued to be one of my biggest inspirations and I will forever admire what he has achieved in motorsport. Congratulations on an incredible career 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ZDmp8iGP9D

— Alex Albon (@alex_albon) August 5, 2021

Congratulations on such an illustrious career, @ValeYellow46! Have a happy retirement 🙌 pic.twitter.com/eQWC4HMO6g

— Quadrant (@Quadrant) August 5, 2021

423 gare, 115 vittorie, 235 podi, 9 mondiali.
Ma anche oltre 50 milioni di persone in piedi sul divano, 2939458010303 abbracci, 92988494040538 di Rossi c'è.
Una sola passione che non finirà mai.
VR46❤️ Grazie di tutte queste emozioni, è stato uno spettacolo.
#Vale#VR46 pic.twitter.com/S68U8eRNna

— Antonio Giovinazzi (@Anto_Giovinazzi) August 5, 2021

It’s ridiculously simple. Without him, I’d never have fallen in love with bikes. He was the gateway. How could you not watch what it was that made him, him? The 🐐? A debate for another day. For now nothing but thanks and praise for the one and only, the sensational @ValeYellow46 pic.twitter.com/VPTtV37DiQ

— Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) August 5, 2021

Rossi won top category championships in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009, having started off with a 125cc title in 1997 before winning a 250cc title two years later.  Rossi secured 235 podiums, 199 of them in the premier category and scored 115 victories — 89 in MotoGP/500 cc, 14 in 250 cc and 12 in the 125 cc category, with 65 pole positions.

Is Rossi the GOAT of MotoGP?

Rossi created history and broke many records in his career over two and a half decades. With riders seeing him as an idol as a young kid, it is fair to say that the Italian inspired many youngsters to join the sport.

With everything that the man has achieved, he still finished after crossing 40 years of age. The legend will always live on and he will forever be embedded in the minds of most motor racing fans.

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