Frank Lampard anuncia su retirada tras 21 años en activo

Frank Lampard, uno de los mejores jugadores de la historia de la Premier League y leyenda viva del Chelsea, ha anunciado su retirada definitiva del fútbol a través de su cuenta de Instagram.

«Después de 21 años increíbles, este es el momento adecuado para terminar mi carrera como futbolista profesional. He recibido ofertas interesantes para continuar jugando en casa y en el extranjero, pero a los 38 años me siento en el momento de comenzar el siguiente capítulo de mi vida«. El ya exjugador inglés iniciará en breve su formación como entrenador.

#DATO Los números de #Lampard con el #Chelsea. Nace una leyenda (vía @Squawka) pic.twitter.com/zN5UIsKn8f

— Sphera Sports (@SpheraSports) 2 de febrero de 2017

Además, Lampard quiso agradecer todo lo vivido a su familia, sus amigos y a todos los clubes en los que ha estado, especialmente al Chelsea: «La mayor parte de mi corazón pertenece al Chelsea, un club que me ha dado tantos grandes recuerdos… Nunca olvidaré la oportunidad que me dieron y los éxitos que hemos logrado juntos. Es imposible dar gracias a cada una de las personas que me ayudaron y apoyaron en mis 13 años jugando allí. Solo puedo decir que desde el día que firmé hasta ahora y en el futuro, estoy eternamente agradecido. La pasión y el hambre de los aficionados del Chelsea y de mis compañeros me llevaron a dar lo mejor de mi año tras año. No podría haberlo hecho sin ellos».

Frank Lampard disputó más 600 partidos en el Chelsea, club del que es el máximo goleador de su historia (208 goles). Debutó profesionalmente en el West Ham y tras el club blue jugó en el Manchester City y el New York City, su último equipo.

After 21 incredible years, I have decided that now is the right time to finish my career as a professional footballer. Whilst I have received a number of exciting offers to continue playing at home and abroad, at 38 I feel now is the time to begin the next chapter in my life. I’m immensely proud of the trophies I’ve won, of representing my country over 100 times and of scoring more than 300 career goals. I have many people to thank. I thank my parents for instilling in me the values of hard work, dedication and professionalism, values which I have carried with me in everything that I do. I am forever grateful for the support of my family, my wife Christine and my two daughters Luna and Isla. What you have given me off the pitch has always been my strength on it. I love you all very much. Also, my friends and my own team that have always been there for me. I would like to thank the amazing team-mates, coaches, managers and backroom staff that I was privileged to work with. I’d also like to pay tribute to the clubs that I have represented. Firstly, West Ham United who gave me my debut in 1996. Thanks to the people there that believed in me at that young age. More recently Manchester City and NYCFC. I greatly enjoyed my last playing years at these two clubs and really appreciate the support I received from City Football Group and both clubs’ fans. Of course, the largest part of my heart belongs to Chelsea, a club which has given me so many great memories. I will never forget the opportunity they gave me and the success that we managed to achieve together. It is impossible to give thanks individually to all the people that helped and supported me in my 13 years playing there. All I can say is from the day I signed until now and going forward, I’m eternally grateful for everything and to everyone. Chelsea fans gave myself and my teammates such incredible support. Their passion and hunger drove me on personally to give my best year after year. I couldn’t have done it without them. Looking forward, I’m grateful to the FA for the opportunity to study for my coaching qualifications and I look forward to pursuing the off-field opportunities that this decision opens.

Un vídeo publicado por Frank Lampard (@franklampard) el 2 de Feb de 2017 a la(s) 2:56 PST