With FC Bayern, he Won his only championship. Now, a goalkeeping legend is ending his career.
A great career comes to an end! Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina is ending his successful career after the current season.
The 42-year-old announced this before the final league match of his current club, Como 1907. Accordingly, the home game on Friday against Inter Milan (from 8:45 p.m. in the LIVETICKER) will be his last.
Pepe Reina is ending his career
“A very beautiful career and a very fulfilling life are coming to an end,” Reina said on Movistar+: “I decided to stop last January. I spoke with my wife and we decided together.”
“Many years have passed and I didn’t expect there to be so many,” Reina continued: “It was 27 years at the highest level, but I see my debut at Barca as if it were yesterday. I really enjoyed it, they were wonderful years and I had very good people around me.”
Reina Played Exclusively in Top-4 Leagues
Reina was active as a professional for a full 25 years. Reina stood in goal for FC Barcelona, FC Villareal, FC Liverpool, SSC Napoli, FC Bayern, AC Milan, Aston Villa, Lazio Rome and most recently for Como 1907.
The Spaniard made an incredible 951 competitive appearances in his career and kept a clean sheet 361 times. In his appearance against Inter, Reina is once again the focus. For Inter, everything is at stake in Como in the dramatic championship battle in Italy.
ONLY Championship with Bayern
Curious: Although Reina played for numerous top clubs in his career, he himself only won one championship. In the 14/15 season he became German champion with FC Bayern.
At Bayern, however, the Spaniard rarely got a chance in the one season. In total, he only stood between the posts three times and otherwise sat on the bench as Manuel Neuer’s representative.
Pepe Reina Won His only Championship with Bayern
Reina completed most of his games for FC Liverpool in the club. He stood in the Reds’ box 394 times and won four titles in his time (English Cup winner, English Super Cup winner, English League Cup winner, UEFA Super Cup winner). He was voted goalkeeper of the year in the Premier League three times. He won the Italian Cup with SSC Napoli in 2014.
Reina Became World Champion and European Champion
The 42-year-old celebrated his greatest successes with the Spanish national team. Reina was always part of the golden generation and won the World Cup title in 2010 and the European Championship title twice (2008 and 2012).
In total, he made 36 international appearances for Spain. Now he is finally hanging up his football boots and his goalkeeper gloves.
He already has a plan for the time after his active career. Reina wants to work as a coach in the future: “I can’t imagine a life without football. Now I have the opportunity to continue in a different way and that’s what I’m going to do.”