Real Madrid Ex-Madrid stalwart announces his retirement

Arbeloa: More than a goodbye

Arbeloa bids farewell to Madrid

The time has come for Alvaro Arbeloa to hang up his boots, the ex-Real Madrid player announcing his retirement.

After a disappointing time at West Ham, where he managed just three appearances, the 34-year-old is calling it a day.

There's little more to add, because he is not only announcing his decision in MARCA, but also explains it below.

You're enjoying the holidays after a year at West Ham. Was it the most difficult season of your career?

"It was complicated and something that I try not to think about too much. At a professional level, it was not an easy year and that has repercussions on a personal level, of course."

Now what?

"The time has come to say goodbye. I have decided to hang up my boots and quit football. Many people have encouraged me to continue, that I have the physique to continue playing, but it has been more of a mental issue. For me, football has been about fighting day by day, competing. The option to continue playing in China or the United States doesn't interest me. Going to training in order to give your all, going in on your day off ... the time has come to say enough because what is being presented to me now is not what I like about football."

Does the West Ham experience account for the timing of the announcement of your retirement?

"I always thought that I would continue playing until my legs held out, but in the end it was a head and motivational issue. Many times you consider life in a way or see the future in a way, but life has other things prepared and you have to know how to accept them and face them. Things this season did not pan out as I had dreamed. I am being honest with myself when I say goodbye."

The start of a new life for you, right?

"When I ask myself what I'm going to do, I understand that I do not want to continue playing for money, I do not want to take my family away again, so I had nothing that motivated me. My life does not end here and I have many things left to do. Football has been a very important part of my life because I have been lucky enough to be 34 years old and not go to 'work' for one day because I have done what I liked the most. I have gone to training happy. I will do other things that will motivate me and I will like them."

How did your family feel about the decision?

"At first they didn't believe it, they thought it was a heat of the moment decision, but after repeating it so many times, in the end they believed it. Obviously it has given them much pain, especially because I am physically fit. I could continue playing, but it has been a mental issue."

In the end with your 'brother' Xabi Alonso, you're united with him again...

"He retired well; by the front door (laughs). He has done it whilst still playing to a great level. I'm happy because it ended like he always wanted; big time. He was fortunate that going back to the Bernabeu wearing a rival's shirt, he could take the ovation, it was something very special. He has understood my decision better than anyone else."

You will live in Madrid. Do you have an idea of what you are going to do now?

"I will do something because I don't want a sabbatical year. I am very restless. At the end of the holiday I will recharge the batteries."

Do you see yourself working at Real Madrid in the short term?

"Madrid knows that I'll be there whenever they need me because it's my home, the club of my life. But I will never call to ask. They know they can count on me. In the short term I don't know, I only just left and I'm announcing my retirement officially in MARCA now, nobody knew anything before this interview. I have a title of sporting director if I want it. When I was a player I was curious to know what I would do, but now I see that it is very difficult."

Well, we are moving ahead. If you become a sports director, who would you sign for Madrid?

"Madrid has the best sports director in the world, as is being demonstrated. The best in the world come to Real and I like the new philosophy of bringing young people, it's a total success. When you create a long-term project the successes come. We are in one of the golden times of Real Madrid."

And if you coach: Which player would always be with you?

"I would not have any galacticos. There was talk last season of team A and B, but there was no such thing, they were two A teams. Many people think that I would be a good spokesman to protect the club. I've always tried to defend Real Madrid and to do so I think you shouldn't be afraid of certain consequences of doing that."

What did you enjoy most in Madrid?

"Day after day, going to train with the best in the world, enjoying the facilities of Valdebebas ... When you go, you value what you had."

What message do you have on your farewell as a soccer player?

"I have been fortunate because of all that I have experienced and for all that I have won. I have played in the club of my life."