SPANISH World Cup winner and double European champion Xabi Alonso is set to retire at the end of the season when his Bayern Munich contract expires, a report in Germany has said.
Leaders Bayern kick off the second half of the Bundesliga season at Freiburg on Friday in their bid for a fifth straight German league title, with the 35-year-old Alonso poised to end his playing career in June.
It would mean the German giants could lose significant experience for next season, with club captain and ex-Germany skipper Philipp Lahm also reportedly considering retiring in June to take over as the club’s team manager.
According to Sport Bild, Alonso has already told club bosses he does not want to sign a contract extension.
Having joined Bayern for the 2014-15 season, Alonso is bidding to finish with a third straight German league title, with his team currently three points ahead in the standings.
Alonso has won 16 titles for clubs and country, including the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European championships with Spain, making 114 international appearances.
He retired from international duty in August 2014.
He has also won the Champions League twice with two different clubs, the 2005 edition with Liverpool and the 2014 edition with Real Madrid. – AFP
