La Liga hero retired from active football at the age of 39 years

La Liga hero Aritz Aduriz has retired from active football at the age of 39 years old following a hip injury.

The Athletic Bilbao attacker was advised to go for a hip injury which will force him to miss the Copa del Rey finals against Real Sociedad as coronavirus pandemic has put that match on hold.

“The time has come,” Aduriz’s letter began, which he posted on social media.

“Many times, I have said that football will leave you before you leave it.

“Yesterday, the doctors told me to go to see the surgeon, sooner rather than later, to get a prosthetic to replace my hip and to try and go about my everyday life, as normally as possible.

“Unfortunately, my body has said ‘enough’.”I can’t help my team-mates the way I would like to, nor the way that they deserve.

That is the life of a professional athlete. Simple, very simple.”Unfortunately, we are living through situations much more grim and painful; the pandemic that we are suffering from has left us with irreparable damage and we have to keep fighting it, together.

“Therefore, I don’t want you to worry about me, this is just an anecdote.”Let’s forget about the finals we dreamt about, because we will have time to say goodbye. And yes, the time has come to say goodbye, and this is how the road ends for me – unforgettable and marvellous, from beginning to end.”Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”

Aduriz scored 158 goals in his professional career, a figure only surpassed by David Villa (186).
He played for Aurrera, Burgos on loan, Real Valladolid, Real Mallorca and Valencia during his active days.