CESC FABREGAS has called time on his glittering 20-year career for club and country.
Stylish midfielder Fabregas, 36, won major trophies with Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona, as well as lifting the World Cup and European Championship twice with Spain.
Fabregas said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that the time has come for me to hang up my playing boots.
“From lifting the World Cup, the Euros, to winning everything in England and Spain and nearly all the European trophies, it has been a journey that I’ll never forget.
“After 20 incredible years full of sacrifice, dedication and joy, it’s time to say thank you and goodbye to the beautiful game.”
Fabregas outraged Spanish football by joining Arsenal from Barcelona at the age of 16 in 2003.
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In eight years with the Gunners, he won just one FA Cup before returning to Barca for four seasons which included domestic triumphs and a Fifa World Club Cup victory.
At Chelsea, he claimed two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a League Cup across a five-season spell.
Meanwhile Fabregas was part of the all-conquering Spain squad that won the Euros in 2008 and 2012, either side of the country’s first ever World Cup win in 2010.
After leaving Chelsea in 2019, he joined Monaco and then spent what turned out to be his final season at Como, the second-tier Italian club of which he and former Arsenal team-mate Thierry Henry are co-owners.
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Fabregas will now try to pass on what he has learned in his impressive career as a coach of Como’s reserve and Under-19 teams.
He said: "It is with great sadness that the time has come for me to hang up my playing boots.
"From my first days at Barca, Arsenal, Barca again, Chelsea, Monaco and Como, I will treasure them all.
"From lifting the World Cup, the Euros, to winning everything in England and Spain and nearly all the European trophies, it has been a journey that I’ll never forget.
"All those who have helped me, my teammates, coaches, directors, presidents, owners, fans and my agent.
"To all my family, from my parents and my sister to my wife and kids, I cherish your advice, mentorship and guidance.
After 20 incredible years full of sacrifice, dedication and joy, it’s time to say thank you and goodbye to the beautiful game.
"To my opponents who tried to knock me, thank you for making me stronger.
"It has already been more than worth it with all the great memories and friends that I have made on the way.
"I’ve also learnt three languages and became more compassionate and wiser along my travels.
"I lived experiences that I never thought in a million years I would even come close to."
Fabregas added: "It’s not all sadness though as I’m now going to cross the white line and start coaching the B and Primavera teams of Como 1907.
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"A club and a project I couldn’t be more excited about. This charming football team won my heart from the first minute and came to me at the perfect time in my career. I will grab it with both hands.
"So after 20 incredible years full of sacrifice, dedication and joy, it’s time to say thank you and goodbye to the beautiful game. I loved every minute."
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