As if it couldn’t have gotten any worse. 48 hours after Toni Kroos played his last football game for Germany in a 2-1 loss to Spain at the ongoing Uefa European championships, Liverpool, Bayern, Barcelona and Spanish legend Thiago Alcantara has also called time on his glittering career.
Born on April 11, 1991, in San Pietro Vernotico, Italy, to former Brazilian footballer Mazinho and volleyball player Valéria Alcântara, Thiago Alcântara do Nascimento was destined for greatness.
He began his football journey at Flamengo in Brazil, before moving to Spain at age five, where he joined Galician team Ureca in Nigran.
Thiago’s globe-trotting career spanned over a decade, with stints at FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool.
He made his professional debut for Barcelona in 2009 under Pep Guardiola, and his exceptional passing ability and technical skills on the ball quickly made him a standout player. Alcantara won numerous titles with Barcelona, including La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
In 2013, Thiago joined Bayern Munich for €25 million, where he continued to impress despite initial injury setbacks. Alcantara played a crucial role in the team’s success, helping them win multiple Bundesliga titles and the UEFA Champions League.
Niko Kovač – former Bayern Munich coach – described him as “a coach’s dream” and “the heartbeat of our midfield.”
Thiago’s international career was equally impressive, representing Spain at various levels, including the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, where he was named Player of the Tournament in 2013. He also featured in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2020 squads.
Thiago holds several records, including the most passes completed in a single Bundesliga match (206) and the most touches in a single Bundesliga match (214). He is also the only player to score a hat-trick in a UEFA European Under-21 Championship final.
The midfielder won a total of 25 trophies in his football career, which include, two champions league, four La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey , one Supercopa de España, one UEFA Super Cup, two club world Cups, 7 Bundesliga titles, 4 DFB- Pokal, 1 DFL- Supercup, and an English FA Cup.
Off the pitch, Thiago is an active founding member of the Alcantara Family Foundation, which uses football to educate and integrate young children in Brazil, Germany, and Spain.
On Sunday afternoon of July 7, 2024, the 33-year-old midfield maestro announced his retirement from professional football, leaving the football world flabbergasted by his decision.
Thiago’s absence will be deeply felt, and his legacy will be remembered for generations to come.
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Story by: Erica Odeenyin Odoom| univers.ug.edu.gh
