Cesc Fabregas has brought down the curtain on a glittering career after announcing his retirement in a heartfelt statement.
The 36-year-old former Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea and Spain midfielder won everything there is to win in the game at club and international level. But his season in Serie B with Como was his last as a player and he will now make the move into coaching with the Italian club.
After hanging up his boots, Fabregas said: "It is with great sadness that the time has come for me to hang up my playing boots. From my first days at Barca, Arsenal, Barca again, Chelsea, Monaco and Como, I will treasure them all.
"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.
"All those who have helped me, my team-mates, coaches, directors, presidents, owners, fans and my agent. To all my family, from my parents and my sister to my wife and kids, I cherish your advice, mentorship and guidance. To my opponents who tried to knock me, thank you for making me stronger.
"It has already been more than worth it with all the great memories and friends that I have made on the way.
"I've also learnt three languages and became more compassionate and wiser along my travels. I lived experiences that I never thought in a million years I would even come close to.
"It's not all sadness, though, as I’m now going to cross the white line and start coaching the B and Primavera teams of Como 1907. A club and a project I couldn’t be more excited about.
"This charming football team won my heart from the first minute and came to me at the perfect time in my career. I will grab it with both hands. So after 20 incredible years full of sacrifice, dedication and joy, it’s time to say thank you and goodbye to the beautiful game. I loved every minute."
Fabregas started his professional career at Arsenal and made his first-team debut in 2003 at the age of 16, becoming the club's youngest ever player in the process. The Spaniard scored once in three games in his first season, before going on to have a sensational breakthrough campaign.
In that same season, Fabregas also won the FA Cup, featuring 46 times across all competitions. He would later win the Golden Boy award, and was, at that time, the most exciting youngster on the planet. Having made over 300 appearances for Arsenal, Fabregas decided to embark on a new adventure and join boyhood club Barcelona in 2011.
Fabregas won his first league title in 2013 as Barcelona lifted LaLiga and he was a key cog in a highly-successful side built by Pep Guardiola. In fact, Fabregas, alongside Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquests would form one of the most formidable midfield quartets in world football.
After three years in his native Spain, scoring 41 goals in 151 matches, Fabregas moved back to England and signed for Chelsea as they bid to win the Premier League under Jose Mourinho. The Blues did exactly that as Mourinho built a machine-like side which dominated England in 2014/15.
Fabregas featured in 34 of their 38 Premier League matches that season and would end up coming away with his first top-flight title in England. He later lifted his second following Antonio Conte's appointment, with Chelsea running away with the division in 2016/17.
In total, Fabregas made 198 appearances for Chelsea, winning three major trophies including the FA Cup in 2018, before he signed for Monaco on a three-and-a-half year deal in January 2019. Fabregas was a mainstay in the Monaco side and had a successful impact in South France, despite struggling with injuries.
However, Fabregas embarked on his final adventure of his professional career last summer when he joined Serie B side Como. He featured in 17 matches for Gli Azzurri as they finished 13th. In his club career, Fabregas totalled a remarkable 738 games, scoring 115 goals, and winning several honours.
As for Fabregas' international career, he starred for Spain in their 'golden spell' when they won three successive major tournaments and played some unbelievable football. La Roja won Euro 2008 by beating Germany 1-0 in the final thanks to Fernando Torres' strike.
This was followed by the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, with Andres Iniesta scoring for Spain in the final against Netherlands. Their final major honour of that era came in Euro 2012. Fabregas played a key role and ended up playing 110 times for his nation, scoring 15 goals, before hanging up his boots in 2016.
