Former Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara has announced his retirement from playing at the age of 33 following his release from Anfield.
The Spaniard officially became a free agent on June 30 following the end of his contract with the Reds, whom he endured four injury-hit years with since leaving Bayern in 2020.
Despite his long-standing fitness problems, Thiago was not expected to have been short of offers to keep playing, and a sensational reunion with Barcelona was briefly mooted.
The 33-year-old was also thought to have been attracting interest from clubs in Italy such as Inter Milan, while moves to either Saudi Arabia or North America could have materialised too.
However, Thiago has rejected the chance to continue on the field and confirmed on social media on Monday that he had hung up his boots following a glittering 13-year senior career.
© Reuters
In a short but emotional statement, Thiago wrote: "I will always be willing to give back what I have been given and I am grateful for the time I have enjoyed it.
"Thank you, football. And to all who accompanied me and made me a better player and person along the way. See you soon, Thiago."
What did Thiago achieve in his career?
Heralded as a classy, skilful and adaptable midfielder during his stints in England, Germany and Spain, Thiago made 488 club appearances over the course of his career, scoring 48 goals and winning a staggering 32 pieces of silverware.
The former midfielder became a Champions League and Club World Cup winner with both Barcelona and Bayern Munich, while also clinching seven straight Bundesliga titles with the latter and four La Liga titles during his time at Camp Nou.
A handful of DFB-Pokal, Copa del Rey, German Super Cup and Supercopa de Espana successes also came the way of Thiago, who added an EFL Cup, FA Cup and Community Shield to his collection during his Liverpool spell.
I will always be willing to give back what I have been given and I am grateful for the time I have enjoyed it.
— Thiago Alcantara (@Thiago6) July 8, 2024
Thank you, football. And to all who accompanied me and made me a better player and person along the way.
See you soon,
Thiago. pic.twitter.com/wtMxmF6z9L
Thiago was not part of any of Spain's major tournament-winning teams, but he won both the Under-17 and Under-21 Euros with La Roja, before earning 46 senior caps and playing at Euro 2016, the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020.
At an individual level, Thiago made the FIFA FIFPro World XI and UEFA Team of the Year in 2020, before being named in the 2021-22 PFA Premier League Team of the Season.
What next for Thiago after retirement?
While there is nothing left for Thiago to achieve on the field, the 33-year-old is reportedly set to transition into the world of coaching, and a return to Barcelona could come to fruition in that sense.
According to Spanish outlet Sport, new Blaugrana boss Hansi Flick - who worked with Thiago during their time at Bayern - is keen to add Thiago to his backroom staff, and the Spaniard is inclined to accept the offer.
Ben Knapton
