Aritz Aduriz announces retirement: Unfortunately, my body has said enough
Athletic Club Had hoped to play in Copa del Rey final
Aritz Aduriz has officially brought forward his retirement from football after being advised to undergo hip replacement surgery.
The 39-year-old was set to hang up his boots at the end of the 2019/20 season, with it seeming like the striker was going to have the dream farewell as Athletic Club will face Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final, but the coronavirus pandemic has put that match on hold.
"The time has come," Aduriz's letter began, which he posted on social media.
"Many times, I have said that football will leave you before you leave it.
"Yesterday, the doctors told me to go to see the surgeon, sooner rather than later, to get a prosthetic to replace my hip and to try and go about my everyday life, as normally as possible.
"Unfortunately, my body has said 'enough'.
"I can't help my team-mates the way I would like to, nor the way that they deserve. That is the life of a professional athlete. Simple, very simple.
"Unfortunately, we are living through situations much more grim and painful; the pandemic that we are suffering from has left us with irreparable damage and we have to keep fighting it, together.
"Therefore, I don't want you to worry about me, this is just an anecdote.
"Let's forget about the finals we dreamt about, because we will have time to say goodbye. And yes, the time has come to say goodbye, and this is how the road ends for me - unforgettable and marvellous, from beginning to end.
"Thank you, from the bottom of my heart."
? Aritz Aduriz (@AritzAduriz11) May 20, 2020
Aduriz became a legendary figure at Athletic, whom he played for over three spells, while he also played for Aurrera, Burgos on loan, Real Valladolid, Real Mallorca and Valencia.
In addition, Aduriz is the second highest Spanish goalscorer in LaLiga Santander in the 21st century, scoring 158 goals in his professional career, a figure only sured by David Villa (186).