Former Spanish midfielder, Cesc Fabregas, has announced retirement from professional football after 20 years of playing football.
Fabregas, in long tweet on Saturday said with great sadness, the time has come to hang up his boots after 20 years of playing football.
He said he would cherish every moment, from the early days at Barcelona, Arsenal, back at the Blaugrana, Chelsea, Monaco and finally Como.
“From the World Cup, to the European Championships, victories in England, Spain, winning European trophies: it was a trip I will never forget.
“To all who have helped me, my teammates, coaches, directors, presidents, owners, fans and my agent; to all my family, from my parents to my sister, my wife and my children, who have always given me advice and have always been a guide; to my opponents with whom I have shared great battles on the pitch: thank you for making me stronger.
“I have so many indelible memories and found friends along the way, it would have been worth it for that alone. I also learned three languages and grew and matured on my travels. I’ve had experiences I never thought I’d even come close to in a million years,” he said.
Fabregas added: “But I’m not sad, because I’m about to start a new path: coaching the B and Primavera team of Como 1907. A club and a project I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about.
“This team won my heart from the first minute, we met at the perfect moment in my career. I will give my all in this new adventure.
“So, after 20 incredible years full of sacrifices, joy and passion, the time has come to say thank you again and say hello to the most beautiful sport in the world. I loved every minute.”
Fabregas, born on 4 May, 1987, came through La Masia, Barcelona’s youth academy, leaving at 16 when he was signed by Premier League club Arsenal in September 2003.
Following injuries to key midfielders in the early part of the 2004–05 season, he went on establish himself in the team. He broke several of the club’s records in the process, earning a reputation as one of the best players in his position, and won the FA Cup in 2005.
After a protracted transfer saga, Fàbregas left London on 15 August 2011 to return to Barcelona in a deal worth up to £35 million. During his three-year spell at the Camp Nou, Fàbregas played alongside Xavi and Andrés Iniesta and won a La Liga title, the Copa del Rey, the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and two Spanish Super Cups.
He returned to London in June 2014 to Arsenal’s cross-town rivals Chelsea for a fee of £30 million, and in his first year there he helped to secure League Cup and Premier League triumphs.
Internationally, Fàbregas made his debut for the Spanish national team in March 2006. He represented his country in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2008, 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, 2010 World Cup, Euro 2012, 2013 Confederations Cup, the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016.
He was a key figure in Spain’s European Championship victories in 2008 and 2012 and their 2010 World Cup triumph in which he supplied the pass for Andrés Iniesta’s winning goal in the final. On 12 October 2015, Fàbregas earned his 100th cap for Spain.
