Malaga defender Martin Demichelis has announced his retirement from professional football.
The 36-year-old Argentine confirmed at an emotional press conference on Monday morning that he is hanging his boots calling to an end to his 17-year career in the game.
He said, in quotes reported by www.diariosur.es: ‘I hope to talk from the heart. The day that unfortunately comes to us all has arrived for me, the end has come.
‘Thanks to the club, my team-mates and the coach (Michel), but I have to be honest with myself. I’ve lost strength in my legs and I’ve lost the power of concentration.
‘Thanks to football and and thanks to all of you, from now on I will be another fan of this club, which has given me so much.’
MCFTV|🎥 Las mejores imágenes de la emotiva despedida de Demichelis: "Estoy eternamente agradecido" #GraciasMicho ➡️ https://t.co/volhz2P3Xq pic.twitter.com/YLZWfWpGuQ
— Málaga CF (@MalagaCF) May 15, 2017
Demichelis rejoined Malaga in January after being released by Espanyol.
It is Demichelis’ second spell with the Andalusian club, having played for them between 2011 and 2013 after joining from Bayern Munich.
The much-travelled defender has also represented Atletico Madrid and Manchester City having started his career at River Plate in his homeland.
He won 51 caps for Argentina and played in the finals of the 2014 World Cup and 2015 Copa America, both of which the Albiceleste lost.
