Pepe Reina, a FIFA World Cup (2010) winner and a double European champion (2008, 2012) with Spain, announced his retirement from professional football, bidding farewell to the sport after 26 seasons.
The legendary goalkeeper will hang up his gloves after his final game for Como 1907, a team recently promoted to the Serie A, playing under former teammate-turned-manager, Cesc Fabregas.
Reina, a product of Barcelona’s academy, spent eight seasons at Liverpool, where he won the FA Cup and League Cup while also earning three Premier League Golden Glove awards.
He went on to play for Bayern Munich, Napoli and AC Milan before signing for Como in July last year.
“I decided to quit last January. I spoke with my wife, and we decided together,” said Reina, who could play his last match against Inter on Friday in the last matchday.
In an interview with Movistar, the 42-year-old revealed his decision and said that “the time has come” and that he feels like “closing it here” to embark on a career as a coach.
“A very beautiful career is coming to an end, a very complete life, I feel very fortunate for what I have lived, there have been many years… I did not expect it, but I think the time has come, and I feel like closing it here,” he said.
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com