Former Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has formally declared his professional football retirement. On Friday, the 42-year-old will play his last game for Serie A team Como against Inter Milan.
When was his golden years?
Reina joined the Reds from Villarreal in 2005 under Rafael Benitez who signed him after the club’s remarkable Champions League victory.
Over the following eight seasons, he was a regular in goal at Anfield, amassing 394 total games.
His first season came with an FA Cup triumph. After a 3-3 tie with West Ham, Reina made three saves during a tense shootout.
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Three years in a row from 2005 to 2008, he clinched the Premier League Golden Glove for most clean sheets kept.
Though the Merseyside outfit fell short against AC Milan, he also played in Liverpool’s 2007 Champions League final.
What followed after Anfield?
Ex-Spain international left on loan to Napoli for the 2013–14 season after Brendan Rodgers brought in Simon Mignolet.
A year later he permanently changed clubs, signing with Bayern Munich in 2014. His path did not end at this. The Spaniard afterwards played for Napoli once more, before AC Milan, Aston Villa, Lazio, Villarreal, and Como.
Why celebrate him as a football legend?
The 42-year-old goalstopper had a remarkable worldwide career apart from club success.
Along with the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he was a member of the Spain team that won the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.
The Madrid-born icon leaves the game as among the most dependable goalkeepers of the modern day thanks to his leadership, steadiness, and penalty-saving ability.
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Along with his trophy collection, his tour of Europe’s best clubs helps to confirm his football history position.
As he hangs up his gloves, supporters all around honor a genuine legend between the sticks.
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