Thiago Alcântara recently opened up about his decision to retire from football and shared his plans for the future.
The Spanish midfielder, who left Liverpool at the end of last season, made the tough decision to step away from the game due to persistent physical challenges.
In an interview with Liverpool’s official website, Thiago explained that retiring at 33 wasn’t his choice but rather something he had to do because of ongoing fitness concerns.
He expressed how much he misses the day-to-day environment of being part of a team, the camaraderie in the locker room, and the thrill of competition.
“I miss being around the team and the locker room. I miss the competitive side of the game,” he said. “But in the end, the decision was forced by my physical issues.”
Despite his retirement, Thiago remains active and continues to play casually with friends to maintain his fitness. He also hinted at his next chapter in football, which seems to involve coaching.
Earlier this year, Thiago took part in training sessions with Hansi Flick’s coaching staff at Barcelona, gaining valuable experience for a potential coaching career.
“I had the chance to rejoin football in a different capacity, helping the coaching staff at Barcelona,” he explained. “I chose to focus on the practical side, leveraging the experience I gained over my years playing at the top level. I want to pass that knowledge to younger players and help them grow.”
Although he’s considering a future in coaching, Thiago is currently enjoying a quieter life, spending more time with his family after years of non-stop football. He reflected on this newfound balance, acknowledging how playing professionally left little room for personal time.
“You realize how different life is outside of football because, since we were young, we didn’t really have much time to understand life at home,” he said. “Now, I have the chance to do things like the school run and enjoy family moments.”
While Thiago continues to analyze games and coach young players, he’s also appreciating life as a fan, staying connected to the sport but from a more relaxed perspective.
Currently back on Merseyside for personal reasons, Thiago seems content with this new phase of life, balancing his love for football with family time.
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