What a career Xabi Alonso has had.Having started out as a budding central midfielder in Real Sociedad's youth set up, the Spanish maestro made the step up to the first team in 2000 and joined Liverpool four years later.Five glory-filled years on Merseyside, during which time he became a club legend, yielded one historic Champions League title, the UEFA Super Cup and the FA Cup in 2006.
Alongside Steven Gerrard, Alonso helped create one of the most feared midfield partnerships in Premier League - heck, European football - history.Then, in 2009, the 35-year-old completed a dream move to Real Madrid, winning La Liga and the Champions League for a second time, before joining Bayern Munich in 2014.And it's been much of the same since, with Alonso's creativity and composure in the heart of midfield helping the Bavarians dominate German football.Indeed, having won domestic and European titles with both Real and Bayern, the only trophy missing from his vast collection is the Premier League.Oh, and there's the small matter of winning two European Championships (2008 and 2012) and the 2010 World Cup with Spain.Simply put, Alonso will forever go down as a football great.But the end is nigh for the Sociedad graduate. Eighteen years since making his senior debut in 1999, Alonso has confirmed he will retire from professional football at the end of the season.His retirement was announced by various sources back in January but only now has Alonso commented on the decision himself, despite the fact Bayern were willing to extend his current deal.As you might expect, Alonso's announcement has class written all over it.In the tweet below, alongside a black and white picture of himself, the Spaniard used seven perfect words to confirm his decision: "Lived it. Loved it. Farewell beautiful game."

Doesn't that just bring a tear to your eye? With Gerrard retiring last summer, Alonso's decision to quit means football has lost yet another legend.

At the age of 35, Alonso clearly feels he's achieved everything he possibly could in football.

Many will argue he still has a few years left in him, but it's better to go out on a high rather than outstay his welcome - if that was at all possible. Thanks for the memories, Xabi.