WHEN RIERA RETIRED FROM FOOTBALL REVEALED

Ex-Spanish national team winger Albert Riera announced his retirement from football three years ago and almost two years since his last appearance for a professional football club. Albert Riera had been without a club since 2016, but he didn’t announce his retirement until January 23, 2018.

Albert Riera was a relatively unknown name in the football circles especially amongst Premier League fans until he signed for Merseyside giants Liverpool on the final day of the summer’s transfer window in 2008. Rafael Benitez masterminded the Liverpool move for his compatriot. Riera signed for the Reds from Spanish side Espanyol in a £9.8m deal. Liverpool fans didn’t know much about him until he featured for their club. His Liverpool debut came against Manchester United and he wore the number 11 shirt during the game.

Riera became famous amongst Liverpool fans for his impressive display on the left wing as Liverpool pushed favourites Manchester United in the Premier League title race. Buoyed by the scoring prowess of Fernando Torres, the superb wing play from Albert Riera and the creative cum leadership abilities of skipper Steven Gerrard, Liverpool finished second and four points adrift of arch rivals Manchester United.

Albert Riera played well in his first two seasons at Liverpool before he falling out of favour with manager Rafael Benitez for his comments in the press. In the end, he was sold to Greek club football giants Olympiakos. He spent one season in Greece before moving to Galatasaray in the Turkish top flight. While he was at Galatasaray, the Spaniard started to play more at left-back.

Galatasaray and Riera mutually terminated his contract at the club at the start of 2014 and he went on to play for clubs such as Real Mallorca, Udinese and Watford before making the decision to end his professional career as a footballer.