The Spanish-Brazilian Rafinha Alcántara, former player -among others- of Barcelona, Celta and Real Sociedad, announced on Monday his decision to retire from soccer at the age of 32 with a video he posted on his social networks.
“I have taken the decision to retire. After some time away from the field and after a long recovery, the time has come to make public something important to me,” Rafinha announced in the document.
Knee injury marked the end of his career
Rafinha had been unable to play for more than a year due to a serious injury, was without a team and his last club was Arabia SC in Qatar, which he joined in 2022.
“A little over a year ago, I suffered a knee injury that unfortunately prevents me from competing at the highest level again.”
“It was hard to accept that I couldn’t go on,” continued Rafinha, whose retirement comes a year and a half after his brother, Thiago (34), hung up his boots.
“Soccer has been my life for as long as I can remember, and understanding that I could no longer dedicate myself to it as I always did was a tough process.”
“But over time, I’ve also been able to see how beautiful the journey has been,” he says.
A legacy of titles and eternal gratitude to soccer
The youngest Alcántara played for Barcelona, Celta Vigo, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Sociedad, Arabi S.C, and played 2 matches with the Brazilian senior national team.
“Thank you to my family for always being there, to everyone for the love and support. Thank you, soccer, for making me who I am. See you always.
The emotional video of Rafinha, who won a Champions League, three Spanish Leagues, a French league and a European Super Cup, ended.
As well as two Spanish Super Cups, five King’s Cups, a French Cup, an Olympic gold medal and a Qatar Cup.
With information from EFE
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