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The former AC Milan player and Serie A veteran Alessandro Florenzi has announced his retirement from professional football, posting a video on his social media earlier this morning.
Florenzi’s contract with Milan expired at the end of June and since then, the full-back has been a free agent. However, as the 34-year-old announced on social media this morning, there won’t be a new destination as he has decided to retire.
“Thank you for everything, my friend ⚽️❤️
“You taught me to love all the fans, from the first to the last without exception.
“Each of you pushed me to improve, and each of you helped me recover from the setbacks that are part of this sport and part of life: I am truly grateful.
“I want to thank every teammate, coach, staff member, and manager, without exception: day after day, your support and professionalism have allowed me to grow as a man and as a footballer.
“I thank you, Ale[Lucci, his agent], for seeing something special in that little guy in the middle of the field 17 years ago. You and the WSA family have been, are, and always will be an essential part of my life, not just in football.
“Finally, I want to thank everyone who has accompanied me on this long journey, especially all the people who work quietly behind the scenes: each of you has left a mark on me. Without you, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
“Thanks again, my friend: today we say goodbye but you will always be a part of me,” he wrote.
In his final season with the Rossoneri, Florenzi made just one appearance (4 minutes against Monza) as an ACL tear kept him sidelined for most of it. As such, one can understand his decision to throw in the towel.
It has previously been reported that Milan are willing to give him a role within the management. While a contract renewal was never on the table, the Rossoneri made it clear that they would like him to stay at the club, just with another role. It remains to be seen if Florenzi will go for this.
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