Fabregas Announces Retirement From Professional Football At Age 36

Spanish internal playmaker, Cesc Fabregas has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 36 years.

The former Barcelona, Arsenal, and Chelsea international draw the curtain on his brilliant 20-year career that saw him win a host of major trophies during spells at Barcelona, Arsenal, and Chelsea, as well as with Spain.

The dynamic midfielder spent much of his youth career at Barca before switching to Arsenal, where he made his senior debut and went on to become a club icon as he made 303 appearances between 2003 and 2011.

He returned to Barca to rejoin the crop of players he left at the youth level, including Lionel Messi and Gerrard Pique, and helped the club to win La Liga in 2013 as well as two Spanish Cups.

Fabregas also excelled at the international level with Spain, where he went on to win 110 caps and was a key part of the side that won a remarkable two European championship titles and the World Cup in 2010.

In 2015, Fabregas moved to Chelsea where he spent five years, twice winning the Premier League, as well as the FA Cup and Europa League.

He left Stamford Bridge in 2019 and has since enjoyed spells at AS Monaco and Serie B side Como.

“It is with great sadness that the time has come for me to hang up my playing boots,” Fabregas said on Saturday in a statement posted to Twitter.

“From my first days at Barca, Arsenal, Barca again, Chelsea, Monaco, and Como, I will treasure them all. From lifting the World Cup, and 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.”

“It’s not all sadness though as I’m now going to cross the white line and start coaching the B and Primavera [youth] teams of Como 1907. A club and a project I couldn’t be more excited about,” he added.

“This charming football team won my heart from the first minute and came to me at the perfect time in my career. I will grab it with both hands.

“So after 20 incredible years full of sacrifice, dedication, and joy, it’s time to say thank you and goodbye to the beautiful game.”