Cesc Fabregas has announced his immediate retirement from football at the age of 36, calling time on a memorable career.
The midfielder enjoyed huge success at both club and international level, winning the World Cup and two European Championships with Spain while claiming multiple domestic honours with Barcelona, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Con grande tristezza è arrivato il momento di appendere le scarpe al chiodo. Conserverò ogni momento, dai primi giorni al Barcellona, all'Arsenal, di nuovo in blaugrana, al Chelsea, al Monaco e infine al Como. Dalla Coppa del Mondo, agli Europei, le vittorie in Inghilterra,… pic.twitter.com/FclqRMPp94— Cesc Fàbregas Soler (@cesc4official) July 1, 2023
Con grande tristezza è arrivato il momento di appendere le scarpe al chiodo. Conserverò ogni momento, dai primi giorni al Barcellona, all'Arsenal, di nuovo in blaugrana, al Chelsea, al Monaco e infine al Como. Dalla Coppa del Mondo, agli Europei, le vittorie in Inghilterra,… pic.twitter.com/FclqRMPp94
In 1997, Fabregas joined Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy aged 10. After coming through the ranks at Barca, the Catalonian moved to Arsenal in 2003 and wasted no time in making an impact.
Fabregas made 303 appearances for the Gunners between 2003 and 2011, chalking up 57 goals and 95 assists along the way.
During that period, he won the FA Cup in 2005 and also reached the Champions League final the following season.
In 2011, the Spaniard made an emotional return to Barcelona, where he bagged 42 goals and 50 assists in 151 games for his boyhood club, winning the La Liga title, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de Espana, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
Fabregas then returned to England in 2014, joining Arsenal’s London rivals, Chelsea. Between 2014 and 2019, the midfielder won two Premier League titles and one FA Cup trophy with the Blues, notching 22 goals and 58 assists in 198 appearances.
Heading into the twilight of his career, Fabregas joined French Ligue 1 side AS Monaco in 2019.
Despite struggling with injury, he played 68 games for the principality club, registering four goals and nine assists.
Fabregas finished his playing career with Italian Serie B side Como 1907, making 17 appearances during the 2022-23 season. However, he decided to hang up his boots before the start of the new campaign.
On the international stage, Fabregas earned 110 caps for Spain, meaning only eight players in history have made more appearances for La Roja.
Between 2006 and 2016, he bagged 15 goals and 36 assists while playing a key role in the country’s domination of world football.
Indeed, Fabregas clinched three successive major titles with Spain. After winning the 2008 European Championship, La Roja won the 2010 World Cup before defending their European crown in 2012.
From his defensive capabilities to his attacking endeavours, Fabregas was a complete midfielder. The versatile performer even operated as a false nine for Barca and Spain, underlining his prowess.
A Spain, Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea legend, Cesc Fabregas will always be remembered as one of the most gifted midfielders of his generation.