Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Alves, who played in Spain with him Almería, Valencia and Celta de Vigoannounced this Tuesday that he is retiring from professional football at the age of 39.
“Today I officially close a cycle that began as a childhood dream and became an unforgettable journey,” stated the goalkeeper in a heartfelt farewell message posted on his social networks.
Alves He informed his millions of followers that his time on the pitch is coming to an end and that, from now on, “a new story begins.”
The former Brazilian international He had words of gratitude to the coaches who “believed” in him, to his teammates and to the fans who “vibrated” with each of his stops.
“To everyone who has contributed to my career: you have been an essential part of this story and you will always be in my heart,” he said. Alves also mentioned, one by one, all the clubs he played for throughout his almost two decades as a professional footballer.
From the Botafogo-SPwhere it was formed, until the years in which Almeria and the Valencia, with whom he lived “extraordinary moments” that made him grow until he became the goalkeeper who has saved the most penalties in the Spanish League.
He also remembered the Flamengo from Rio de Janeiro, with whom he enjoyed a second youth and was able to win two Copa Libertadores titles, among other trophies, and from Celtic of Vigohis latest team.
“At Celta, I had a brief but important stage, which allowed me to return to the League after five years,” he said of the Galician team.
He landed in the celestial club on February 8, 2023, but terminated his contract just a month later, on April 15, without having been able to make his debut, after suffering a serious knee injury at the end of March of that year.
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Alves also highlighted the Atlético Mineiroin which he “took his first steps in professional football”, and “the dream” that represented the Brazilian team meant for him.
“Being on the field with my country’s shirt has allowed me to experience football at the highest level and share unique moments with the best players in the world,” he said.
