One of the best players of his generation is set to retire.
Xabi Alonso will hang-up his boots at the end of the season, according to Bild.
The Bayern Munich midfielder has yet to confirm the news himself, but the German media outlet report that Alonso will walk away from the club after his contract expires in June.
According to the report, Alonso informed Bayern of his intentions before Christmas.
The 35-year-old joined Bayern from Real Madrid in 2014, and has won two Bundesliga titles with the Bavarian club.
Xabi Alonso's reaction was pure class when Rafa Benitez revealed he wanted to sell him https://t.co/PKallfTrEF
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) September 3, 2016
The Spanish midfielder began his career at Real Sociedad, before joining Liverpool in 2004 where he won the Champions League and the FA Cup.
Alonso was the brain of a very good Liverpool team and a big favourite among the club’s fanbase.
In 2008, Rafa Benitez’s attempts to replace him with Gareth Barry would prove costly, as Alonso left for Real Madrid the following summer for £30m.
Liverpool have never replaced him.
Xabi Alonso won Twitter with his #LFC tribute to Steven Gerrard https://t.co/nCXFVZKXHY #2015memories pic.twitter.com/8R0P9hvFeq
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) December 31, 2015
At Madrid, Alonso won the La Liga title and the Champions League, but was suspended for the final.
Pep Guardiola signed him for Bayern in 2014, and he has since flourished in a third major league in Europe.
Alonso made 114 appearances for Spain, and was a key part of the teams that won two European Championships and the World Cup.
If this season is to be Alonso’s last, he’ll surely walk away from football with no regrets after winning almost every trophy he competed for.
It would be a sad loss for the game though, as Alonso has shown no signs of decline.
