Curtain call on Xabi Alonso’s footballing career

By
Biswajit Das
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Xabi Alonso played the final match of his footballing career as he stepped out one last time in Bayern colours. And the Bavarians ensured that the Spaniard got a heroes reception.

Unlike his retiring counterpart, Philipp Lahm Alonso has not been a one team man. In fact, he has played for the German giants for only three seasons. But the kind of reception he got was fit for a legend’s goodbye.

Starting his final game of the match he made an instant impact after he set up Robben in the fourth minute. The pass was a trademark Alonso-like-pass. With the title in the bag and the match done and dusted, Bayern boss Carlo Ancelotti decided to give Xabi Alonso his moment. The midfielder was substituted in the 82nd minute of the match. And the Spaniard left the pitch to a standing ovation.

Unlike many players, who fade away into oblivion during the final days of their career, Alonso bows out at the top. He has managed to play in three countries in the top three leagues. That too with possibly the best teams in those leagues.

Alonso first big club move came in 2004 when he moved to Liverpool from his boyhood club Real Sociedad. He spent 5 years with the Reds and managed to win a bunch of silverwares. But his biggest moment with Liverpool will always be that emphatic turnaround in Istanbul that helped Liverpool win the Champions League.

In 2009 he left Liverpool to return to his homeland to join Real Madrid. He managed to spend five seasons with Real where he literally became the fulcrum for everything that Real Madrid would do.

 

 

 

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