Former Bayern Munich and Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara is expected to announce his retirement, marking the end of a distinguished playing career.
The 33-year-old left Liverpool at the end of June after his contract expired, and was anticipated to be a prime transfer target for the Saudi Pro League.
However, according to Fabrizio Romano, Thiago has opted to retire from professional football and embark on a ‘new chapter in football.’
Thiago’s retirement concludes a career spanning 488 senior club games and 46 appearances for the Spanish national team. His career was frequently hampered by injuries, causing him to miss an estimated 364 matches. Despite these setbacks, when fit, Thiago was consistently among the world’s elite midfielders.
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Born in Italy to former Brazil international Mazinho, Thiago grew up in Brazil but also spent significant time in Spain, where he joined Barcelona’s youth ranks in 2005. He made his first-team debut in 2009 under Pep Guardiola and was quickly hailed as a future star, drawing comparisons to Andres Iniesta.
In 2013, Thiago reunited with Guardiola at Bayern Munich, where he spent seven successful years, capped by Champions League glory in 2020. He then joined Liverpool, playing under Jurgen Klopp.
Thiago represented Spain in three major tournaments, though he did not win any international trophies. Nevertheless, he amassed an impressive 27 club trophies throughout his career.
Thiago’s final season as a professional was marred by injuries, limiting him to just five minutes of play, coming on as a late substitute in Liverpool’s 3-1 loss at Arsenal.
Thiago’s retirement will be a significant moment in football, closing the chapter on the career of a player renowned for his dribbling and precision passing.
Source:
3news.com
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