Former NYCFC player Anton Tinnerholm retires after injury issues | OneFootball

Over the years, certain New York City FC players became fan favorites and were beloved by the supporters. One such player was Anton Tinnerholm, who played with the club from 2018 through 2022 before returning to Malmö FF. He was a part of the MLS Cup Champion team, despite missing the match due to injury, and is considered the best right-back in team history.

Sadly, the former NYCFC player announced he is retiring from the beautiful game. He wrote a wonderful letter to the Malmö fans, stating his decision and taking them back through his journey with the club, his time away with the Pigeons, and then his return at the end of 2022.

Injuries derailed Anton Tinnerholm's career

There is no question that Tinnerholm is retiring earlier than he would have liked. The 34-year-old thought he would return to Malmö and contribute the same way he did for NYCFC.

However, that was not meant be. Since leaving the Pigeons, he has struggled immensely with injury. Truthfully, one can argue his injury issues began when he ruptured his Achilles tendon toward the end of the 2021 regular season. When he came back and played in his final games with NYCFC in 2022, he performed well and split his playing time with Tayvon Gray. Alas, he was part of the mass exodus that offseason, which his departure was more about his desire to return home to Sweden.

Unfortunately, the right-back barely played in 2023 and 2024, appearing in just ten matches during that time. An inguinal hernia kept him out for most of 2023, and the same injury impacted him the following year despite surgery and constant rehab. As such, his inability to recover and the fact that he has played fewer games than he was used to since the end of 2021 led him to prematurely end his career.

It is a shame, for NYCFC fans know how good of a player he was. He was truly the definition of an attacking right-back, for not only was he superb defensively, but he was threatening in the attack. He had nine goals and 23 assists during his five years with the club, and many of his goals were absolute stunners.

Tinnerholm will be missed from soccer, but injuries are a part of the game. It is more important that he takes care of himself to not cause further damage. At the very least, he can cherish the great times he had in his career, including with NYCFC.