Xabi Alonso announces plans for retirement

Xabi Alonso has confirmed he is to put an end to his playing career at the end of the season. It has been a stellar career that has seen the midfielder win numerous trophies and personal accolades.

Xabi Alonso’s 18th season as a professional player will also be his last. The midfielder confirmed the rumor yesterday. Alonso, currently playing for Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, is set to stop his career while still at the top,as has been with most of his career.

Among his numerous achievements are listed winning the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship 2008 and 2012. Alonso managed a respectable 114 caps for Spain. He scored 16 goals for la Roja. He retired from the national team in 2014 following the World Cup in Brazil.

At club level he won silverware at Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, some of the most important clubs in European football. The playmaker won the Champions league with two different clubs. He was part Liverpool’s squad that won the trophy in 2005, even scoring a goal in the final. In 2014 he helped Real Madrid to a historic tenth Champions League trophy.

At Bayern he continues to be an important player. He has won the Bundesliga twice and his team are currently first in the league. After an impressive 10-2 victory on aggregate over Arsenal, Bayern are seen as one of the favorites for this year’s Champions League trophy.

The midfielder also talked about his desire to end his career on a high note. “I wanted to end my career still at the highest level, and Bayern is the highest level. I’m incredibly proud and happy to play for FC Bayern and to be a part of this family.”

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Bayern’s chairman, took time to thank Alonso for his service and to praise the player. “FC Bayern would like to thank a great player and person for representing FC Bayern to such a high standard both on and off the pitch. Xabi Alonso is one of the greats of world football. He has won everything there is to win during his career. He’s a thoroughly remarkable person, and a gentleman of the game.”

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