We've had ample time to mentally prepare ourselves for the end of Xabi Alonso's football career.
It became clear in January that Alonso, one of the finest midfielders of his generation, and an all-round handsome bastard to boot, would probably be calling time on his career at the end of this season.
After notifying Bayern Munich of his plans to call it a day, the Spaniard has now shared a typically classy tweet to confirm to us all that his playing days are done.
"Lived it. Loved it," the tweet reads. "Farewell beautiful game."
Along with these words is a black and white picture of Alonso, Adidas Mundials in hand, offering a farewell wave as he walks into the distance.
Wipe away those tears.
https://twitter.com/XabiAlonso/status/839777479426510848
Alonso was a member of the Spain team that won the World Cup in 2010 and also won two Champions League titles with Liverpool in 2005 and Real Madrid in 2014.
Now 35, Alonso moved to Bayern in the summer of 2014 to work with Pep Guardiola.
