Alvaro Arbeloa calls time on glittering career

Alvaro Arbeloa has retired from professional football following his release at West Ham United.

"It's time to say goodbye," he said, as reported by BBC Sport. "Physically I was okay to keep playing."

The 34-year-old was showered with medals in a career which took in stints at Real Madrid, Deportivo La Coruna, Liverpool, Real Madrid again, and West Ham. At club level he won all his trophies with Los Blancos, collecting two Champions League titles, one La Liga, two Copa del Reys, one Club World Cup, and one UEFA Super Cup.

Arbeloa was an integral part of the dominant Spain side around the turn of the last decade, lifting the World Cup in 2010, and claiming the two European Championships either side of that tournament. Overall, he represented his country on 56 occasions.

Arbeloa isn't necessarily finished in the sport. He was born Salamanca and spent the early years of his youth career with Real Zaragoza, but joined the "club of his life," Real Madrid, as a teenager before making his senior debut for the club aged 21.

"I will never call to ask for a job, but I am always available to offer myself," he said of the Champions League and La Liga holder.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)