He's won a World Cup, two European Championships, two Champions Leagues, two Bundesligas and a La Liga title, and even a former fledgling Gaelic Footballer player. And there might be more to come for Xabi Alonso this season, but unfortunately not beyond that.
The 35 year-old Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Spain legend has announced this morning that he will retire at the end of the season.
Lived it. Loved it.
Farewell beautiful game. pic.twitter.com/1aSN7GGNzZ— Xabi Alonso (@XabiAlonso) March 9, 2017
Bayern Munich are 3/1 second favourites for the Champions League this season (10-2) and seven points clear in the Bundesliga so there's a very good chance he can add to that amazing list of the honours over the next couple of months.
The day after the new "greatest comeback ever", it's fitting that someone who was so central to the original "best comeback ever" should claim some headlines. He was a cult hero at Liverpool during his five seasons there. Scoring THAT equaliser in THAT final in Istanbul was probably his most memorable moment, but that's not even to mention scoring from inside his own half twice.
Tributes have been flowing in all morning for the "Pass Master" from his former teammates.
Not a bad career Pass Master! https://t.co/IUnU4DzV8V
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) March 9, 2017
Top quality 👍⚽ All the best Xabi https://t.co/bag4yq4GcB
— Neil Mellor (@NeilMellor33) March 9, 2017
"The Pass Master" announces his retirement. Good luck my friend! Thanks for all the great passes🙏🏻you always found me @XabiAlonso 👏🏻👏🏻
— John Arne Riise (@JARiiseOfficial) March 9, 2017
Como convertirte en una leyenda del fútbol mundial en solo cuatro pasos. pic.twitter.com/75pVHGdUKk
— Álvaro Arbeloa (@aarbeloa17) March 9, 2017
And we did love watching you play !!
Gracias por tanto Xabi !! https://t.co/19CP3FIu6c— Luis Garcia (@luchogarcia14) March 9, 2017
So lucky for sharing it with you in 3 different teams!! Thanks for everything "manoplas"!! LEGEND! #GraciasXabi https://t.co/ozN4FcvzIN
— Pepe Reina (@PReina25) March 9, 2017
Steven Gerrard paid tribute too....and got his name wrong. Xavi!?
His current chairman at Bayern and German legend Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has also paid tribute to his retiring midfielder
Xabi Alonso is one of the greats of world football. He has won everything there is to win during his career. He's a thoroughly remarkable person, and a gentleman of the game.
