A former Liverpool star has revealed he’ll retire from football this weekend, bringing the curtain down on a career that has lasted 25 years.
After rising through Barcelona’s youth system and debuting for the senior team in 2000, he moved to Villarreal in 2002, before signing for Liverpool three years later.
He went on to enjoy eight seasons at Anfield, playing 394 matches across all competitions for the Reds.
Now aged 42, goalkeeper Pepe Reina, who currently plays in Serie A with Como under Cesc Fabregas, has announced he’ll retire after Friday’s final match of the season against Inter Milan.
“A very beautiful career is ending, a very complete life,” Reina told Movistar+. “I’m extremely lucky for everything I’ve gone through.
“It’s been a long journey… I didn’t expect it to end this way, but I feel this is the right time and place to finish it.”
Pepe Reina (top left) will retire from football following Como’s last fixture on Friday
Reina famously made three penalty saves in Liverpool’s dramatic 2006 FA Cup final shootout win over West Ham.
He once amused Aston Villa players with a funny initiation song
Reina might still have a say in the Serie A title race, as Inter are just one point behind Napoli ahead of the last round.
The Spanish goalkeeper remains a fan favourite at Anfield, remembered for his clutch saves in two major shootouts that helped Liverpool win silverware.
He stopped three penalties in the thrilling 2006 FA Cup final versus West Ham, and also guarded the net when the Reds defeated Cardiff City in the 2012 League Cup final shootout.
Reina earned 36 international caps for Spain and was a squad member during their Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 triumphs, as well as the 2010 World Cup victory.
His peak came with Liverpool, but he also had stints at Napoli, AC Milan, and Lazio, and short spells with Bayern Munich and Aston Villa.
After hanging up his gloves, Reina will go into coaching. He is expected to take over Villarreal’s U19 team next season back in Spain