Spain ahead Cesc Fabregas is seen on the sphere earlier than the beginning of an exhibition worldwide pleasant soccer match in opposition to Ireland, June 11, 2013, at Yankee Stadium in New York. Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas introduced his retirement from soccer on Saturday July 1, 2023, on the age of 36 — practically 20 years after making his debut for Arsenal as a 16-year-old.| Photo Credit: AP

Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas introduced his retirement from soccer on Saturday on the age of 36 — practically 20 years after making his debut for Arsenal as a 16-year-old.

The 2010 World Cup winner made the announcement on Twitter, one yr right into a two-year contract he signed final summer time with Italian second-division workforce Como.

“It is with great sadness that the time has come for me to hang up my playing boots,” Fabregas mentioned.

After becoming a member of Arsenal from Barcelona's youth academy, he turned the London membership's youngest participant when he made his debut in a League Cup recreation in October 2003 on the age of 16 years, 177 days.

He went on to grow to be Arsenal captain however left the membership to return to Barcelona in 2011, a yr after after serving to Spain win the World Cup in South Africa.

He was additionally part of the Spain groups that gained back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

At Barcelona he gained the 2012-13 Spanish league title however left the membership to return to the Premier League with Chelsea a yr later, serving to the Blues to the league crown in 2015 and 2017.

He moved to French league membership Monaco in 2019, the place he performed 68 occasions earlier than signing for Como final summer time.

“From my first days at Barca, Arsenal, Barca again, Chelsea, Monaco and Como, I will treasure them all,” Fabregas wrote. “From lifting the World Cup, the Euros, to winning everything in England and Spain and nearly all the European trophies, it has been a journey that I’ll never forget.”