Former Barcelona and Liverpool star, Thiago Alcantara, has announced his retirement from professional football.
The news was revealed by football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, in a statement on his X account on Sunday.
“Thiago Alcantara has decided to retire from professional football. Former Barça, Bayern, Liverpool and Spain player has made his decision. Thiago’s passion and love for the game continues as he’s ready for new chapter in football after few months planning for it,” Romano wrote.
Born on 11 April , 1991, Thiago joined Barcelona at the age of 14 and made his first team debut in 2009.
During his time at the club, the 33-year-old secured numerous accolades including four La Liga titles, the UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup. In 2013, he moved to Bayern Munich for €25 million.
In Germany, Thiago enjoyed tremendous success, winning 16 trophies, including seven consecutive Bundesliga titles and the UEFA Champions League as part of a continental treble in his final season.
In 2020, he transferred to Liverpool for an initial fee of £20 million, where he added the FA Cup to his collection in 2022.
His performances earned him a place in the FIFPRO Men’s World 11 in 2020.
Internationally, Thiago represented Spain, winning European Championships at under-19 and under-21 levels before making his senior debut in 2011.
Although a knee injury prevented him from participating in the 2014 World Cup, he was selected for UEFA Euro 2016, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and UEFA Euro 2020.
Renowned for his creativity and technical prowess, Thiago was adept at dribbling and ball control, enabling him to excel as a central midfielder or in a more advanced attacking role.
Xavi praised him as “an extraordinary player” in 2013. Known for his precise passing and vision, Thiago maintained a 90.2% pass success rate during the 2016–17 Bundesliga season, the highest in Germany.
Neymar included Thiago in a potential list of five players he considered more technical than himself.
Despite his skill and reputation as a world-class midfielder, Thiago’s career was frequently hampered by injuries.
During his time at Barcelona, Thiago scored seven goals in 68 appearances. He netted 17 goals in 150 appearances for Bayern Munich and added two goals in 68 appearances for Liverpool, totaling 28 goals in 341 club matches.
On the international stage, Thiago scored twice in 46 appearances for Spain between 2011 and 2021.
