Alonso to retire

Bayern Munich star, Xabi Alonso, is reportedly planning to retire at the end of the season when his contract with the Bavarians is up.
According to Sport Bild (h/t the Mirror’s Alex Richards), the Spaniard will bring down the curtain on a glittering career when the current campaign ends, and the 35-year-old has made his intentions clear to the powers that be at Bayern late last year.
Alonso joined the Bundesliga champions from Real Madrid in 2014. The midfielder began his career at Real Sociedad before making over 200 appearances apiece for Liverpool and Real Madrid, and he is just three outings short of a century with Bayern.
In that time, he accumulated an impressive array of silverware including the UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, Copa del Rey, La Liga and Bundesliga titles among others, as well as winning the FIFA World Cup and two UEFA European Championships with Spain.
Alonso’s impeccable distribution, intelligence and composure in possession made him one of the best holding midfielders of his generation.