Picture Credit: Twitter
Cesc Fabregas announced his retirement from football after a career of over 20 years, where he got associated with elite clubs like Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Monaco and Como, on Saturday, July 1. The 36-year-old made his debut for Arsenal when he was 16 years old. The Spain international took to his Instagram and penned down an emotional note, informing his fans that ‘time has come’ for him to hang up his boots. The 2010 World Cup winner is one year into a two-year contract he signed with the Italian second-division team Camo last summer.
Winner of two Premier League titles, two European Championships and a World Cup, Cesc Fabregas, informed fans that he will now coach Como’s B team. After joining Arsenal from Barcelona’s youth academy, he became the youngest player to have made debut in a League Cup game in October 2003, aged 16 years, 177 days.
Taking to his Instagram, Fabregas announced, “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.”
Fabregas added, “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. All those who have helped me, my teammates, coaches, directors, presidents, owners, fans and my agent. To all my family, from my parents and my sister to my wife and kids, I cherish your advice, mentorship and guidance. To my opponents who tried to knock me, thank you for making me stronger.”
Informing fans about his new innings of his career, the 36-year-old further wrote, “It’s not all sadness though as I’m now going to cross the white line and start coaching the B and Primavera teams of Como 1907. A club and a project I couldn’t be more excited about. 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.”
Fabregas left Barcelona in 2014 to move to Chelsea, winning two Premier Leagues, the FA Cup and the League Cup, and five years later, he moved to Monaco before joining Como.
