Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has paid an amazing tribute to Xabi Alonso, who is set to retire at the end of this season, marking an end to a remarkable 17-year old career. Alonso announced his retirement a couple of months back, and is set to play the final game of his career when Bayern take on Freiburg on the final day of the Bundesliga season.
Alonso spent five seasons at Anfield with Gerrard, winning the FA Cup, Champions League and Super Cup in his time. The 35-year-old also won two Euros and one World Cup with Spain.
And with Bayern winning the Bundesliga this season, Alonso is set to draw the curtain on his career with another trophy.
Ahead of his final game, Gerrard left a message for his former teammate. He said:
“Hope you’re well, mate. I just want to say a huge congratulations on your retirement. What a special career. What a fantastic player. For me, probably the most enjoyable partner throughout my career as a midfielder. The best passer of a ball I’ve ever played with. You deserve all the accolades that you get, mate. What a special career for club and country.
“I’m very jealous of you having a World Cup winners medal. I’m very jealous of you having league titles in Germany and Spain, but you deserve it, mate. When you left it broke my heart, but you’ll always have a special place at this football club and you’re always welcome to come visit.”
Gerrard and Alonso were at the heart of the formidable Liverpool team under Rafael Benitez that won the UEFA Champions League in 2005 and it would be easy to say Liverpool were a force to reckon with back then.
Alonso has been an unbelievable player over the years and is one of those very few players who do not have haters at all. He has always been loved by the fans all over the world and that includes the rival fans as well.
It will be curtains on what has been a brilliant career and football will miss a player of Xabi Alonso’s class. At Liverpool, he will be remembered forever, as a legend!
Thanks for the memories, and good luck Xabi Alonso!
Gerrard leaves beautiful message to Xabi Alonso upon Spaniard’s retirement ❤️
‘When you left, it broke my heart’
FC Bayern TV pic.twitter.com/zSiqKmotOH
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) May 19, 2017
