FOTO - Lampard anuncia su retirada: "Tras 21 años increíbles, es el momento adecuado de terminar mi carrera"

Frank Lampard, mítico futbolista inglés, ha anunciado su retirada tras 21 años en la élite a través de su cuenta de Instagram. El jugador, que empezó su carrera en el West Ham, colgó una foto en la que se le ve con la camiseta del Chelsea en la que declara lo siguiente: "Tras 21 años increíbles, he decidido que es el momento adecuado para terminar mi carrera. A los 38 siento que es el momento de comenzar el próximo capítulo en mi vida. Estoy inmensamente orgulloso de los trofeos que he ganado, de representar a mi país más de 100 veces y de anotar más de 300 goles de carrera".

El '8' que practicó casi toda su carrera en el Chelsea, agradeció a todos los clubes en los que ha jugado por darle la oportunidad y el cariño de dedicarse a lo que más le gusta:

"Quiero rendir homenaje a los clubes que he representado. En primer lugar, West Ham United, que me dio mi debut en 1996. Gracias a la gente que creyó en mí a esa edad. Más recientemente Manchester City y NYCFC. Disfruté mucho de mis últimos años jugando en estos dos clubes y realmente agradezco el apoyo que recibí de City Football Group y los fans de ambos clubes. Por supuesto, la mayor parte de mi corazón pertenece al Chelsea, un club que me ha dado tantos recuerdos. Nunca olvidaré la oportunidad que me dieron y el éxito que logramos lograr juntos". 

Después de esto, se refirió a su futuro, que estará ligado a los banquillos: "Mirando hacia el futuro, estoy agradecido a la FA por la oportunidad de estudiar para entrenador y espero seguir las oportunidades fuera de campo que esta decisión abre".

Sin ninguna duda, recordaremos al centrocampista como uno de los jugadores más influyentes en el fútbol inglés.

 

 

After 21 incredible years, I have decided that now is the right time to finish my career as a professional footballer. Whilst I have received a number of exciting offers to continue playing at home and abroad, at 38 I feel now is the time to begin the next chapter in my life. I’m immensely proud of the trophies I’ve won, of representing my country over 100 times and of scoring more than 300 career goals. I have many people to thank. I thank my parents for instilling in me the values of hard work, dedication and professionalism, values which I have carried with me in everything that I do. I am forever grateful for the support of my family, my wife Christine and my two daughters Luna and Isla. What you have given me off the pitch has always been my strength on it. I love you all very much. Also, my friends and my own team that have always been there for me. I would like to thank the amazing team-mates, coaches, managers and backroom staff that I was privileged to work with. I’d also like to pay tribute to the clubs that I have represented. Firstly, West Ham United who gave me my debut in 1996. Thanks to the people there that believed in me at that young age. More recently Manchester City and NYCFC. I greatly enjoyed my last playing years at these two clubs and really appreciate the support I received from City Football Group and both clubs’ fans. Of course, the largest part of my heart belongs to Chelsea, a club which has given me so many great memories. I will never forget the opportunity they gave me and the success that we managed to achieve together. It is impossible to give thanks individually to all the people that helped and supported me in my 13 years playing there. All I can say is from the day I signed until now and going forward, I'm eternally grateful for everything and to everyone. Chelsea fans gave myself and my teammates such incredible support. Their passion and hunger drove me on personally to give my best year after year. I couldn't have done it without them. Looking forward, I'm grateful to the FA for the opportunity to study for my coaching qualifications and I look forward to pursuing the off-field opportunities that this decision opens.

Un vídeo publicado por Frank Lampard (@franklampard) el 2 de Feb de 2017 a la(s) 2:56 PST