Former Liverpool star Pepe Reina’s final career appearance has ended in disaster as he was sent off in his last game for Italian side Como before retirement.
The Spanish goalkeeper, who represented the Reds between 2005 and 2014, became a fan favorite on the Kop during his time at Anfield. Such was his standing among his teammates following his spell with the Reds that Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher both paid tribute to their ex-teammate after he announced his impending retirement.
However, after more than 1000 competitive games as a professional, his career has ended in ignominy after he was given his marching orders by the referee in a Serie A clash against Inter Milan. Como, managed by former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, was reduced to ten men for the remainder of the clash in Italy’s top flight.
The World Cup winner was dismissed on the stroke of half-time in the game against Inter having already gone a goal down in the 20th minute. Reina, who is hanging up his gloves at the age of 42, has featured for the Lombardy outfit on 12 occasions in the league this term.
“A very beautiful career is coming to an end, a very full life,” Reina he said in an interview with Movistar as he announced his intention to retire. “I feel very fortunate for what I’ve experienced. “I didn’t expect it, but I think the time has come and I feel like bringing it to a close here.”
Taking to X, the former Spanish international said: “It has been much longer than I ever dreamed, yet it feels so short that I’d live it all over again.
“With only three days left until the ‘last dance’, so many emotions, people, and memories come to my mind, and all I can do is sum them up in one huge THANK YOU.
(Image: Getty Images)
“My heartfelt gratitude goes out to everyone who crossed my path, the greatest treasure of this profession. I carry a piece of each of you with me, and I won’t forget that you’ve all helped me experience this genuine privilege of a career as a footballer.
“I’m proud and at peace with every moment I’ve experienced, the tough ones because they taught me, and the good ones because they’ve made me extraordinarily happy.
“I thank God for blessing me with a family who is responsible for every good thing that’s happened to me; even a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to repay them. See you soon. New projects are coming, and football runs through my veins… I couldn’t understand life without it.”
Starting his career at Barcelona, he moved to Villareal, where he caught the eye of then-Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez. His countryman swooped to bring him to Merseyside in the summer of 2005, with the signing proving to be a major success as he went on to make 394 appearances for the Reds.
He would bow out from his duties in L4 having won the FA Cup and the League Cup during his time with the club, while also having started the 2007 Champions League final. He also experienced individual success, claiming the Premier League Golden Glove award on three occasions during his stay.
After a loan move to Napoli, he was permanently signed by Bayern Munich, before rejoining Napoli, as spells at AC Milan, Aston Villa, Lazio, Villarreal and Como followed. According to Mundo Deportivo, Reina’s next step will come in a coaching capacity at former club Villareal from next term.
