At the age of 36, Cesc Fabregas, a former midfielder for Arsenal, Chelsea, and Barcelona, has declared his retirement from football.
Throughout his international career, he was awarded two European Championships and a World Cup, having earned 110 caps for Spain.
His final season was spent with Como, a second-tier Italian team, where Fabregas concluded his professional footballing journey.
On social media, the midfielder wrote a poignant message stating, ”
With great sadness, the time has come to hang up my boots.I will cherish every moment, from the early days at Barcelona, Arsenal, back at the Blaugrana, Chelsea, Monaco and finally Como. From the World Cup, to the European Championships, victories in England, Spain, winning European trophies: it was a trip I will never forget.
To all who have helped me, my teammates, coaches, directors, presidents, owners, fans and my agent; to all my family, from my parents to my sister, my wife and my children, who have always given me advice and have always been a guide; to my opponents with whom I have shared great battles on the pitch: thank you for making me stronger. I have so many indelible memories and found friends along the way, it would have been worth it for that alone…
Fabregas came through the ranks at Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy but left aged 16 to sign for Arsenal in 2003. He made over 303 appearances for the club. He scored 57 times, won the FA Cup in 2005 and was instrumental in Arsenal’s run to the champions league final in 2006.
Barcelona also brought him back home in 2011 and Fabregas spent three seasons in the first-team of the Catalans. He scored 42 times in 151 appearances and won La Liga and the Copa Del Rey.
Fabregas would then make a shock return to English football and also anger some Gunners fans by signing for Chelsea. There he won two Premier League titles and the FA Cup and amassed 198 appearances.
Furthermore, he left for Monaco in 2019 before finishing up with another dream living location in Como.
After 20 years of playing at the highest level, Fabregas says a final goodbye to the sport. He has further stated that he will explore coaching and punditry going forward.
