Cesc Fabregas, the 36-year-old Spanish footballer, has officially announced his retirement from the sport. Fabregas has decided to hang up his playing boots and transition into a coaching career with Como 1907's B and Primavera teams. His retirement comes after a remarkable career spanning 17 years, during which he achieved success in multiple countries and amassed an impressive list of accolades.
Fabregas made his senior debut for Arsenal in 2004 and went on to make 738 club appearances for Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Monaco, and Como. Throughout his career, he won a total of 15 club and international trophies, including the World Cup with the Spanish national team in 2010, marking Spain's first-ever victory in the tournament.
The midfielder's journey began at Arsenal, where he became the youngest-ever first-team player at the age of 16 years and 177 days. During his time at Arsenal, Fabregas played in 303 matches, winning the FA Cup and reaching the Champions League final as a runner-up.
Fabregas then returned to his boyhood club, Barcelona, where he experienced further success by winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey. In 2014, he made his way back to England, joining Chelsea, where he added two Premier League titles, the League Cup, and the FA Cup to his trophy cabinet during his five seasons at Stamford Bridge.
Internationally, Fabregas earned 110 caps for Spain, participating in two European Championships and the historic 2010 World Cup triumph. He played a crucial role in the final by assisting Andreas Iniesta's winning goal in extra time.
Expressing his sentiments about retiring, Fabregas said, "It is with great sadness that the time has come for me to hang up my playing boots. From my first days at Barca, Arsenal, Barca again, Chelsea, Monaco, and Como, I will treasure them all. From lifting the World Cup, the Euros, to winning everything in England and Spain and nearly all the European trophies, it has been a journey that I'll never forget."
He expressed gratitude towards all those who supported him throughout his career, including teammates, coaches, directors, presidents, owners, fans, and his agent. Fabregas also acknowledged his family for their guidance and support, and even extended his appreciation to his opponents for making him stronger. Reflecting on his experiences, he mentioned the personal growth he achieved, such as learning three languages and becoming more compassionate and wiser through his travels.
