Fans hail 'FIFA legend' Akinfenwa as Sunderland promotion makes retirement official

Football fans have wished FIFA legend Adebayo Akinfenwa well in his retirement after he confirmed he would be walking away from the game after losing to Sunderland in the League One Play-off final

Football fans have hailed 'FIFA legend' Adebayo Akinfenwa after he hung up his boots following play-off heartbreak on Saturday.

The 40-year-old was on the losing team as Sunderland swept aside Wycombe on their way back to the Championship after four years away. And despite not having the dream send-off, fans from all teams have hailed Akinfenwa for his footballing career.

Akinfenwa shot to fame as a result of the FIFA video game, where he was ranked as the strongest player in the game. The man who was once deemed 'too big to play football' became something of a cult hero in the English lower leagues.

One fan tweeted: "You've earned it pal. What a man, what a career, what a legend @daRealAkinfenwa is."

"An absolute gentleman on and off the pitch. Will be missed," a second added. A third tweeted: "What a man, came on and pulled out a couple of unbelievable touches!! @daRealAkinfenwa thanks for everything-good luck with everything."

A fourth said: "You had a hell of a run. One of a kind and truly a great example for youth people!"

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Akinfenwa was even recognised by FIFA for his career as they handed him an 'End of Era' card on FIFA Ultimate Team.

The card saw Akinfenwa boosted to a 90 overall - the same overall that players such as Harry Kane, Ngolo Kante, and Manuel Neuer were handed as their 'base' rating at the start of the game.