Anfield Road

SCORER of the so-called “ghost goal”, European Cup winner in Istanbul, drinker of sangria, Luis Garcia has decided to retire from football.

In a touching letter published on his personal website the former Reds number 10 announced he was calling it a day.

He thanked Rafa Benitez and Pako Ayestarán, “for teaching me to show my best.” He thanked his parents for helping and encouraging him to make it as a footballer, he thanked Luis Aragones for giving him the chance to play in a World Cup, he thanked “each and every one of the people over 17 years of career that have been with me, have helped me and supported me at every stage I have lived and although not mentioned one by one, I will be forever grateful.”

He also thanked the fans “who have followed me over the years, always with good intentions, always encouraging and motivating me every game to be a better player every day.”

Garcia’s song still gets aired on a regular basis at Anfield, the Spaniard remembered with fondness as an important part of some very happy times at Anfield. Garcia, signed from Barcelona in 2004, left for Atlético Madrid in 2007.

This is Garcia’s announcement in full:

And it is the moment, not easy for anyone and inevitable for all us.

There have been many years enjoying what fascinates me, great times spent and the opportunity to see fulfilled the dream I had when I was just a kid.

Today I´ve decided to retire as a professional footballer, thanking the interest of the teams that talked to me in recent weeks, but I think it’s time to end this important chapter in my life and move to the next page.

Thank you, thank you very much to my parents for all those afternoons of heat and cold they spent just to see me happy when I was little. For those Munich boots you bought, working so hard, to let me continue kicking the ball. For all those summers with no vacation. For teaching me to sacrifice myself for what I loved most.

To all my family for always accompany me on this adventure with words of encouragement and support.

To Manolo, my friend and agent, for keeping my feet on the ground and believe in me from the beginning.

To all my teammates, for many concentrations, anecdotes and experiences shared.

To Rafa Benitez and Pako Ayestarán, for teaching me to show my best.

To Luis Aragones, for allowing me to live the dream of every football player, represent his country in a World Cup.
To all my coaches since academy, for guiding me and believe in my football.

To Badalona and S.Gabriel for making me as person,  to FC. Barcelona for opening me the door, to Valladolid, Tenerife and Toledo for letting establish myself on first division, to Atletico Madrid for making me enjoy a Calderón Stadium on fire, to R.Santander and Panathinaikos for goods experiences, to Puebla and Pumas for the opportunity to live in a country of warm people and a passionate football, and to Liverpool FC for making me pass to the history of international football and be part fo the Red family, forever.

To each and every one of the people over 17 years of career that have been with me, have helped me and supported me at every stage I have lived and although not mentioned one by one, I will be forever grateful.

And last but not least, the fans, to all who have followed me over the years, always with good intentions, always encouraging and motivating me every game to be a better player every day.

Thank you all for being part of the history of my career and welcome to the next page.

And in Spanish:

Y llegó el momento, nada fácil para ninguno e inevitable para todos.

Han sido muchos años disfrutando de lo que más me apasiona, grandes momentos vividos y la oportunidad de ver cumplido el sueño que tuve cuando era solo un niño.

Hoy decido retirarme como futbolista profesional, agradeciendo el interés de los equipos que hablaron conmigo en las ultimas semanas, pero creo que llegó el momento de dar fin a este capítulo tan importante en mi vida y pasar a la siguiente página.

Gracias, muchas gracias a mis padres por todas esas tardes de frío y de calor que pasaron por verme feliz cuando era pequeño. Por aquellas Munich que con tanto esfuerzo conseguían para que siguiese dandole patadas al balón. Por todos aquellos veranos sin vacaciones. Por haberme enseñado a sacrificarme por lo que mas amaba.

A toda mi familia por acompañarme siempre en esta aventura con palabras de ánimo y apoyo.

A Manolo mi amigo y agente, por mantenerme con los pies en el suelo y creer en mi desde el principio.

A todos mis compañeros de equipo por tantas concentraciones, anécdotas y experiencias compartidas.

A Rafa Benitez y Pako Ayestarán por enseñarme a mostrar lo mejor de mi.

A Luis Aragonés por permitirme vivir el sueño de todo futbolista, representar a su país en una Copa del Mundo.

A todos mis entrenadores desde pre-benjamín, por guiarme y creer en mi fútbol.

Al Badalona y S.Gabriel por formarme como persona, Al FC. Barcelona por abrirme la puerta, Al  Valladolid, Tenerife y Toledo por permitirme llegar a primera, Al Atlético de Madrid por hacerme disfrutar de un calderón a reventar, al R.Santander y Panathinaikos por las experiencias vividas, A Puebla y Pumas por darme la oportunidad de vivir en un país de gente cálida y un fútbol apasionado, Y al Liverpool Fc por hacerme pasar a la historia del fútbol internacional y formar parte de la familia Red para siempre.

A todas y cada una de las personas que a lo largo de 17 años de carrera han estado a mi lado, me han ayudado y apoyado en todas las etapas que he vivido y que aunque no los mencione uno a uno, les estaré agradecido siempre.

Y por último y no menos importante, la afición, a todos los que me habéis seguido durante todos estos años, siempre con buenos deseos, siempre alentando en cada partido y motivándome ser mejor jugador cada día.

Gracias a todos por formar parte de la historia de mi carrera y Bienvenidos a la siguiente página…