Former Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has announced his retirement after a legendary career. The 42-year-old made 394 appearances for the Reds during his eight seasons on Merseyside, and also made well over 100 appearances for both Villarreal and Napoli.
It is for his spell at Liverpool, though, that Reina will be remembered by most neutral soccer fans; the Spaniard joined Liverpool in 2005, winning the FA Cup during his first season before tasting further domestic success in 2011-12 with the League Cup.
Reina also won the UEFA Super Cup in 2005 and the Community Shield in 2006, as well as being a runner-up in both the 2005 Club World Cup and the 2006-07 Champions League.
“A very beautiful career is coming to an end, a very full life,” Reina said as he explained his decision. “I feel very fortunate for what I’ve experienced. It’s been many years… I didn’t expect it, but I think the time has come and I feel like bringing it to a close here.
“I decided to quit in January. I spoke with my wife, and we decided together. The satisfaction is that now I want it to end. Last summer there was a moment when I had a hard time, because I couldn’t find a project that excited me and I had that little thorn in my side.
“I had more to offer and this year has been the one that has made me see that I am now empty, in the sense that I can no longer offer more to football from this position.”
His final game for Como comes against Inter Milan on Friday, although he is likely to be on the bench behind first-choice ‘keeper Jean Butez.
Como is guaranteed to finish in 10th position in Serie A, but the club could still have a huge say in the destination of the title. Inter and Napoli are separated at the top of the table by a single point going into the final round of games, with the latter having the edge heading into its home game against Cagliari, which kicks off at the same time on Friday.
