Nacho Monreal, a former defender for Arsenal, declared his retirement from the game of football after suffering a catastrophic knee injury and not making a full recovery.
Prior to signing a two-year contract with LaLiga team Real Sociedad in 2019, Monreal made 251 appearances with the Gunners.
The 36-year-old went on to make 69 appearances over two seasons with the Spanish giants before sustaining a knee injury that ruled him out of the 2021-2022 campaign.
Sociedad made the decision to release Monreal in May 2022 and the Spanish defender decided to hang up his boots as a result.
On Wednesday, August 17, he took to social media to announce his decision to retire, claiming he ‘cannot continue’ because of his knee.
’36 years playing football. 16 as a professional. Squeezing my body and taking it to limits that I would never have imagined,’ Monreal wrote.
My knee sends me a message… loud and clear; I cannot continue! Do I get mad? NO! I listen to it and accept the situation and thank it for everything.
‘A stage is over. Another starts. I’m happy and feeling good. One more time… I FEEL GOOD!!! And that gives me peace of mind.
‘Life is a gift and I like to be grateful. Thank you @caosasuna @rfef @malagacf @arsenal @realsociedad for letting me cross your paths.
‘What a good years….’
