Xabi Alonso, one of the most respected and accomplished midfielders in Spanish football, has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 35. The Spaniard, who spent 18 years with Real Madrid, has been linked to several clubs over the past few months, including Liverpool and Manchester City.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Alonso revealed that he had decided to hang up his boots after 18 seasons in professional football. "I've always said that my dream was to play for Real Madrid and I'm incredibly proud of everything we achieved together," he said. "But it's time for me to move on and start a new chapter in my life."
Alonso began his career at Real Madrid as a teenager and quickly established himself as one of the best young players in Spain. He made his debut for the senior team in 2004 and went on to make more than 700 appearances for the club, winning three La Liga titles and two Champions League crowns.
After leaving Madrid, Alonso played for various clubs in Spain and England before joining Liverpool in 2013. He helped the Reds win the Premier League title in his first season at Anfield and also played a key role in their success in the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup.
Despite his impressive record at Liverpool, Alonso struggled with injuries throughout his time at the club and eventually left for Manchester City in 2019. He made just eight appearances for the Citizens and announced his retirement from professional football earlier this week.
Alonso is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation and his departure from football will be felt by fans around the world. His contributions to Real Madrid and Liverpool have been immense and he will be remembered as one of the greatest players of all time.