Cesc Fabregas, a former midfielder for Spain, Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea, made the announcement of his retirement on Saturday, bringing the curtain down on an impressive 20-year playing career as he prepares to take up coaching at Como.
Fabregas will hang up his boots to take up coaching at Como.
As soon as Fabregas made his debut for Arsenal, at 16, after being recruited from Barcelona, he established a name for himself in the scene. He took up the midfield mantle from the Frenchman Patrick Vieira and went on to become one of the best playmakers in Premier League history.
After spending eight years at Arsenal, where he was part of the team that won the FA Cup in 2005, he returned back to the club he had played for since he was a child and won six trophies during his time there.
After that, he came back to London and signed with Chelsea, the team with whom he would go on to win two Premier League championships and a total of two FA Cups.
But his greatest achievements came with Spain, where he earned 110 caps and won back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012. He also assisted on the goal that won Spain the 2010 World Cup in extra time against the Netherlands.
“It is with great sadness that the time has come for me to hang up my playing boots,” Fabregas said on Twitter after announcing his retirement from professional soccer.
“From my first days at Barca, Arsenal, and Barca again, Chelsea, Monaco, and Como, I will treasure them all,” he said. “I will also treasure my days at Como.”
“From lifting the World Cup and the Euros to winning everything in England and Spain and nearly all of the European trophies, it has been a journey that I will never forget,” he said. “I won nearly all of the European trophies, including the World Cup and the Euros.”
In his most recent season, Fabregas competed for Como in the Italian second division, known as Serie B. This is the level at which Fabregas will begin his career as a coach.
“However, it’s not all bad news because I’m about to cross the white line and begin coaching the B and Primavera (youth) teams for Como 1907,” he said. A group as well as a venture that I am beyond thrilled to be a part of,” he said.
“From the very first minute, I fell in love with this wonderful football squad, and they came to me at the ideal moment in my career to play for them. I’m going to take hold of it with both of my hands.
“Therefore, after an incredible twenty years filled with self-sacrifice, commitment, and joy, it is time to say thank you and farewell to the beautiful game,”