39-year-old striker Athletics stated that “it is time to stop.”

Legendary Athletic striker and former national team player, Spain’s Aritz Aduriz has announced the decision to retire.

His contract with atlético ended 30 June, but the player decided to retire due to problems with his hip.

“The time has come. Many times I have to say that football is leaving you before you leave football.

Yesterday the doctors told me that I needed to carry out the operation. And the sooner the better. The prosthesis can replace my femur and I will be able to live a normal life. But without football.

Unfortunately, my body said, “Enough.” I can’t help my teammates as I would like and as they deserve. Such is the life of a professional athlete.

So ends my way – wonderful and unforgettable, from beginning to end. Thank you with all my heart. There will be time to say goodbye.”, — wrote Aduriz on twitter.

pic.twitter.com/8WQU5mOMvD

— Aritz Aduriz (@AritzAduriz11) May 20, 2020

Aduriz played for athletic from 2002 to 2003 and from 2012 to the present day. For the club from Bilbao he spent 405 matches in which he scored 172 goals. He also played for Albacete, Valladolid, Mallorca and Valencia.

In Spain he spent 13 matches in which he scored two goals. Aduriz is the oldest scorer of the national team.

According to the materials:

iSport.ua