The year that ends was marked by retirements of players who stood out worldwide, such as the Spanish Iker Casillas, the Peruvian Claudio Pizarro or the Argentine Javier Mascherano. For now, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, none have had a farewell on the pitch.
The footballers who retired this year lived a golden decade, both in the clubs in which they played and in their national teams. For example, Casillas and David Villa were champions with Spain at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. They also won two Euro Cups (2008 and 2012).
Javier Mascherano is another of the athletes who decided to end his professional career. The Argentinian reached 19 titles with FC Barcelona and also achieved the runner-up in the world with his team, in Brazil 2014.
These are some of the footballers who retired in 2020
David Villa
The 39-year-old Asturian retired in January playing for Japan’s Vissel Kobe. Villa emerged from the lower ranks of Sporting de Gijón and went through Zaragoza, Valencia, FC Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Melbourne City and New York City.
His greatest achievements He obtained them with Barcelona (one Champions League and two Leagues) and with Spain, with which he finished as the top scorer in history (59 goals).
– Daniele De Rossi The 37-year-old Italian midfielder also retired in January, after ending his contract with Boca Juniors. From Rossi played 18 seasons in Roma and he became one of the team’s top references. With his team he won the world championship in Germany 2006. In addition, he has two titles in the Italian Cup and one in the Italian Super Cup. – Aritz Aduriz The 39-year-old forward retired in May after being forced to undergo surgery for a hip injury. Aduriz stood out at Athletic de Bilbao, where scored 172 goals in 407 games played and became the team’s top scorer. He also played for Mallorca and Valencia. He played with Spain in 13 games, including those of Euro 2016. The most important title of his career was achieved with Bilabo, by winning the Spanish Super Cup in 2015, against Barcelona, with a hat-trick yours. – Mario Gomez The German striker of Spanish descent retired at the age of 34, in July 2020, playing for Germany’s Stuttgart. He also wore the shirts of Bayern Munich, Fiorentina, Besiktas and Wolfsburg. With the German national team, Gómez played 78 games and was runner-up in Euro 2008 and third in the 2010 World Cup. In addition, he was champion with Bayern of the Champions League in 2012. – Claudio pizarro At 41, the Peruvian striker ended a successful career in July. In his last game with Werder Bremen he ensured the club’s permanence in the Bundesliga. Pizarro began his career at Alianza Lima and later had his first bond with Werder Bremen. He also went through Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Cologne. In the Bundesliga he scored 197 goals in 490 games. Also, with Bayern he won five German cups, six Bundesliga and one Champions League. – Iker Casillas The historic Spanish goalkeeper left the courts in August, at the age of 39. The footballer was more than a year without playing, since suffered a heart attack last May. In 22 years of career he only played for Real Madrid and Porto. In the Madrid team won 17 titlesAmong those, three Champions League, a Club World Cup, an Intercontinental Cup, two European Super Cups and five Spanish leagues. In addition, with his selection he played 167 games. – Vincent kompany The Belgian defender also retired in August at age 34, playing for Anderlecht, a team where he made his professional debut in 2003. He also played for German Hamburg, but most of his career He was at Manchester City (11 years) and lifted four Premier titles. With Belgium he played 89 games and his most important achievement was being semifinalist in the last World Cup played in Russia in 2018. – Fernando Gago The midfielder announced his retirement in November, at age 34, playing for Velez Sarsfield of Argentina. In the last three years, Gago suffered constant injuries to his achilles tendon and knee ligaments. The footballer emerged from the formations of Boca Juniors. The most important step of his career was at Real Madrid, where played five seasons. He was later transferred to Roma and also played for Valencia, before returning to his country. – Javier Mascherano ‘Masche’ also decided to end his career in November, at age 36. His last club was Estudiantes de La Plata. The midfielder began his career at River Plate and also passed through Corinthians, West Ham, Liverpool, FC Barcelona and Hebei Fortune from China. The best moments of his career were at FC Barcelona. There he played eight seasons and won 19 titles. On the other hand, with the Argentine national team he has the record for the most games played (147). He achieved the runner-up in the world in Brazil 2014. – Daniel Viteri The 39-year-old ‘Mono’ Viteri retired on December 20, after playing the last date of LigaPro with Guayaquil City. The footballer made his entire career in the country: He played for Emelec, Deportivo Quito, Barcelona, Liga de Quito and Orense. The most important time of his career was lived with Liga de Quito, a team with which he left champion of the Copa Libertadores (2008), Copa Sudamericana and Recopa (2009). He was also two-time champion with Emelec (2001 and 2002). – – –
You may also be interested in:
Related posts:
