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7th July 2024
03:28pm BST
Thiago Alcantara has announced his decision to retire from professional football.
The 33-year-old has had terrible luck with injuries in recent years, which contributed to Liverpool's decision not to renew his contract at the end of the last Premier League season.
The former Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Spain star has 16 trophies to his name, including seven Bundesliga titles in a row, four La Liga titles, one Champions League, and one FIFA Club World Cup.
He also helped Spain to victory at the European Championships at under-19 and under-21 levels.
Prominent football journalist Fabrizio Romano broke the news on social media just a short while ago.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Thiago Alcantara has decided to retire from professional football.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 7, 2024
Former Barça, Bayern, Liverpool and Spain player has made his decision.
Thiago’s passion and love for the game continues as he’s ready for new chapter in football after few months planning for it. pic.twitter.com/zR4Uvum1rH
Rumours had been circulating in recent weeks that Thiago's former coach at Bayern Munich, Hansi Flick, had been courting Alcântara to join his coaching staff at another one of his old clubs at Barcelona.
It remains to be seen what is next for the Italian-born legend as he ponders what work he wants to do, if any.
Thiago underwent surgery in early May of 2023 in an effort to help get himself up to the speed for the pre-season period of last summer but spent virtually the entirety of the campaign sidelined.
Liverpool signed Thiago in September of 2020 for an initial fee of £20m just weeks after he had helped Bayern win the Champions League.
While the gifted former Spain international's quality was always evident, so too were his injury troubles.
Across four years with the Reds, Thiago featured less than 100 times and his last start as a Liverpool player came in February of 2023, in a 3-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molinuex.
Champions League 🏆🏆
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 7, 2024
La Liga 🏆🏆🏆🏆
Copa del Rey 🏆
Supercopa de España 🏆
UEFA Super Cup 🏆
Club World Cup 🏆🏆
Bundesliga 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
DFB-Pokal 🏆🏆🏆🏆
DFL-Supercup 🏆🏆
FA Cup 🏆
Thiago Alcântara is retiring from football after an incredible career, per @FabrizioRomano pic.twitter.com/GCisiiFEio
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