Football will lose another legend after this season - Xabi Alonso officially announced that he will end his professional football career after this season.
The 35-year-old midfielder currently wears the jersey of Munich's "Bayern". X. Alonso's contract with the Bavarians ends this summer, but the Spaniard will not be looking for a new team - one of the best players in his position will officially hang up his boots.
On his official Twitter account, next to a photo of X. Alonso holding his football boots, it says: "Lived it. Loved it. Farewell beautiful game."
"It was not an easy decision, but I think now is the right time to say goodbye to football. I always thought that I should leave sooner rather than later. I feel good, but now is the right time to step back.
"I always wanted to finish my career at the highest level, and 'Bayern' is it," added X. Alonso.
X. Alonso began his illustrious career at San Sebastiano's "Real Sociedad" team, but in 2004 he moved to Liverpool, where he played 210 matches and triumphed in the UEFA Champions League until 2009.
Later, his career as a midfielder turned to Madrid, where arguably X. Alonso's most successful career years took place. In the "Real" club, the Spaniard played in 236 matches, also winning the Champions League and once celebrating the title of Spanish champions.
In 2014, X. Alonso moved to Munich's "Bayern" and has played 106 matches so far.
Lived it. Loved it.
— Xabi Alonso (@XabiAlonso) March 9, 2017
Farewell beautiful game. pic.twitter.com/1aSN7GGNzZ
