Goodbye football! 5 players who retired in 2019

It takes less than fifteen days for the clock to set twelve and start a new year. However, for several soccer players their routine life of training and matches will end, as several of them, during the year, announced their final retirement from football. The most recent case is that of the Argentine soccer player Ezequiel Lavezzi, who at 34 years old decided to “hang up his boots” as it is popularly said.

Well, the Argentine published a statement on his social networks in which he said that “they were incredible years of this story. Years marked by learning, unique moments and infinite memories that will be eternal in my heart. With much emotion, I say goodbye to the most beautiful stage that life has given me. I was very happy! A hug!" Ends the letter.

Also known as 'Pocho', the Argentine stood out in the San Lorenzo de Almagro; for its good performance, it was bought by Napoli, a team with which he won the Italian Cup and in which it lasted five years. Afterward, he moved to Ligue 1 in France, led by the PSG and lasted four years with the team, then went to China, in 2016, to play for Hebei Fortune and retire after the end of his contract for three years With the Chinese club.

However, Lavezzi's withdrawal has not been the only one in 2019 and from LatinAmerican Post we mention five of these cases.

1. Fernando 'El Niño' Torres

The Spanish soccer player announced his retirement from football in June this year, after 18 years of professional career and going through the best European clubs. With only 17 years, he was entrusted to debut at Atlético de Madrid, and it is in that club where his nickname arises, given his young age “nobody knew him or spoke to him, they started calling him 'El Niño'”, as he remembers Ace.

After passing through the team 'Colchonero', Torres played in the Premier League in several renowned teams such as Liverpool and Chelsea. Then he was transferred to Milan of Italy and later returned to Atlético de Madrid, after reaping several wins for the rest of Europe. His retirement came from the hand of the Japanese team Sagan Tosu, a club with which it lasted two years.

The Spanish striker was one of the key pieces for the Spanish national team and with it he was crowned champion in the World Cup in South Africa in 2010, and then he would achieve his second European Championship in 2012; tournament in which he was the top scorer, and for them, he received the Golden Boot, according to EFE.

2. Diego Forlán

One of the most important Uruguayan players of the decade, announced his retirement at age 40 last August "after more than a year without playing," according to Marca. Throughout his career he played for important teams such as Independiente de Argentina; Peñarol of Uruguay; Atlético de Madrid of Spain; Manchester United in England or Inter Milan, among others.

The Uruguayan not only won important titles under these teams but also managed to win the 2011 Copa América. He also won two Gold Boots, added to the fact that he was chosen for the Golden Ball for his magnificent participation in the 2010 World Cup, championship in which Uruguay He stayed with the fourth position.

During his interview with Telemundo, in which he announced his retirement, the Uruguayan said he would have liked "to close the race in Peñarol but things did not happen and unfortunately, the negotiations did not come to fruition."

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3. Xavi Hernández

Another of the legends not only of Barcelona but of the Spanish national team with which he won the World Cup and two Euro Cups, also announced his retirement from the football world in May 2019.

The midfielder played for Club Barcelona for almost two decades, and then played for Al Sadd in Qatar, a team he arrived in 2015. Through an article published in Generation Amazing, he said that, after having played until 39, his current desire was being a coach, thing that he managed at the moment is directing what was his last club as a player.

Hernandez was a great football figure in the best years of Spain, participated in 133 meetings with the national team, in which he could score 13 goals, according to RTVE.

4. Net Helium

The Brazilian player of the Chapecoense team, and one of the six survivors of the fatal accident where 71 people died (19 soccer players) when the team headed to Medellín to play the 2016 South American Cup final, also announced their retirement from football at 34

Having survived the accident did not guarantee him to be able to move forward in his football career. During these years after the disaster, Neto was in constant recovery and in March of this year he managed to return to training, but throughout the year he did not play any official match. Despite his efforts, and that the club kept him on his roster, the Brazilian said “My body couldn't take it anymore. The pains were increasing. (…) I did not feel pain in my daily life, but in high-level training the body cannot withstand knee and back pain, which made me sad and took me off the court."

5. David Villa

The last on the list is another of the legends of Spanish football. After playing in Barcelona, a team with which he won several Spanish leagues, Copas del Rey and even the UEFA Champions League, in addition to the European Championships and the 2010 World Cup.

In November, the 37-year-old Spaniard announced his retirement after a 19-year career, through a press conference sponsored by his latest club, the Vissel Kobe. In his statements, the player said: “I have decided to finish my professional career and retire.” He added that it was a decision that discussed the issue with his family and the people around him, “I wanted to retire from football, not be forced to do so. Although I will no longer be in the field, I will continue to be involved in football in other ways and continue to contribute to the world of football. ”

To the above is added that it was revealed that the striker is co-owner of the new club in New York, Queensboro FC, along with the American Jonathan Krane. Villa already has experience in the American League because he played for New York City for four seasons.