Connect in the back of the net
Facebook0
Twitter0
Google+0

Today, Xabi Alonso‏ announces his retirement from the game.

This season with Bayern Munich will be his last as a player: “Lived it. Loved it. Farewell beautiful game.”

Not the conventional way of announcing the news but in this day and age, social media has replaced the press conference in some respects.

 

Illustrious

The 35-year-old has had an illustrious career, winning every trophy in the game and this decision certainly wasn’t an easy one.

The decision comes as a slight shock as having just played 180 minutes in, but reports suggest the player wanted to leave on a high instead of the world watching his decline and that being the deciding factor in his retirement.

Alonso’s career started at Real Sociedad in 1999 before Premier League giants Liverpool snapped him up four years later.

Testing himself in England Alonso showed his amazing passing quality and scoring ability while winning the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup and FA Community Shield.

 

Continued to improve and improve

Xabi didn’t slow down once he left Liverpool but only got better, for club and country.

He went on to win no less than 9 trophies including the UEFA Champions League again with Real Madrid, back to back Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich and the World Cup with Spain.

 

Life after playing

What Alonso decides to do once retired is a mystery, but if he decided to become a football scout, coach, TV pundit etc. it would be great to still have such a great player and man remain in the game.

When the end of the season comes, Xabi Alonso could still add to that tally of trophies and will certainly receive the send-off he deserves.

 

Written by Jonathan Roberts

Follow Jonathan on Twitter @missingstuds

Check out his awesome football blog, Missing Studs Football

Like O-Posts on Facebook

You can also follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts