Xabi Alonso has made a shocking decision to retire from football at the end of the season.
The Spain international’s contract with Bayern Munich at the end of the season and it has been reported that he has informed the club of his decision to retire.
The 35-year-old is in his third and final year of contract with the Bavarian giants and has already planned his future.
The former Liverpool star moved to Germany from Real Madrid, and while fellow veteran Arjen Robben just penned down a new contract – Alonso plans on hanging up his boots.
FootTheBall sources claim that he met with Bayern hierarchy in late 2016 to inform them of his decision.
Xabi Alonso arrived at the Allianz Arena in 2014 as replacement for Toni Kroos for a fee of €9 million.
The World Cup winner has played almost 100 games for the Die Roten since his arrival and has been a regular under the new boss Carlo Ancelotti.
The veteran midfielder is a fan favorite and the club are not very pleased to let their star man depart.
Both the club management and boss Carlo Ancelotti have been urging the star to continue for one more year, although they have been preparing for his departure with the signings of Sebastian Rudy and Joshua Kimmich.
Philipp Lahm is another player who Bayern could lose to retirement as he looks to get into technical role with the club.
Alonso spent five years in the Premier League with Liverpool and won the Champions League in 2005.
