Xabi Alonso has confirmed that he will retire at the end of the season.
Reports earlier this year had suggested retirement was imminent for the Spaniard.
And the former Liverpool star confirmed the news today, with this classy tweet:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lived it. Loved it. <br><br>Farewell beautiful game. <a href="https://t.co/1aSN7GGNzZ">pic.twitter.com/1aSN7GGNzZ</a></p>— Xabi Alonso (@XabiAlonso) <a href="https://twitter.com/XabiAlonso/status/839777479426510848">March 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The Bayern Munich midfielder, who also played for Real Sociedad and Real Madrid during his career, spoke to the Bayern website on his announcement:
"It wasn't an easy decision to make, but I believe it's the right time.
“I always thought it would be better to quit sooner rather than later. I still feel good, but I believe this is the right moment.
"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."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">One of the greats is saying goodbye. <a href="https://twitter.com/XabiAlonso">@XabiAlonso</a> will retire from professional football at the end of the season. Danke, Xabi! 👠<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MiaSanMia?src=hash">#MiaSanMia</a> <a href="https://t.co/HrbdaUvC4e">pic.twitter.com/HrbdaUvC4e</a></p>— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBayernEN/status/839781764310642688">March 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Alonso won the Champions League, Uefa Super Cup and FA Cup while at Liverpool.
He moved to Real Madrid in 2009, winning another Champions League and a La Liga title, before his transfer to Bayern in 2014.
He has claimed two Bundesliga titles with the German giants.
Alonso also starred for Spain during their golden era, winning the World Cup in 2010 as well as the European Championships in 2008 and 2012.
"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”, added Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
"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."
