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Published on 2024-04-15 12:32:04
Athletic Bilbao announced on Monday that their veteran forward, Raul Garcia, will be retiring at the end of the current season. The 37-year-old, who earned two caps for the Spanish national team, recently tasted success by helping his club win the Copa del Rey earlier in April. This marked his first major trophy with Athletic Bilbao since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2015. Garcia played a crucial role in the final, scoring in the penalty shoot-out to secure a victory over Mallorca and claim Athletic’s first Copa del Rey title since 1984.
Throughout his career, Garcia has amassed an impressive collection of titles, including winning La Liga with Atletico in 2014, as well as the Spanish Cup in 2013 and the Europa League in 2010. In a statement released by Athletic Bilbao, the club hailed Garcia as a “true legend” who made the decision to retire just a week after his memorable achievement in the Copa del Rey final. His final contribution to the team was executing a crucial penalty with precision during the shootout.
Garcia’s professional career spans over 602 La Liga matches, placing him third in all-time appearances behind Andoni Zubizarreta and Joaquin, both with 622 appearances. He made his La Liga debut with Osasuna during the 2004-2005 season before transferring to Atletico Madrid in 2007. Since joining Athletic Bilbao, Garcia has scored a total of 83 goals in 356 appearances across various competitions. He also earned two international caps for Spain in friendly matches against France and Germany in 2014.
As his retirement approaches, Garcia leaves behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, and success on the pitch. Athletic Bilbao fans will forever remember his contributions to the team, especially his crucial goals in important matches. Despite his decision to retire, Garcia’s impact on Spanish football and Athletic Bilbao will be felt for years to come. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors and hope that he enjoys a well-deserved retirement after a distinguished career in the sport.
