Steven Gerrard hints at retirement after 2016 MLS season

Steven Gerrard recently revealed that 2016 could be his final year as a professional football player.

With his contract set to expire after the next Major League Soccer season, the English midfielder admitted he would like to end his career on a high after the Los Angeles Galaxy saw their hopes of repeating as champions come to an end.

"It could be my last season as a footballer," Gerrard told the team's website. "I certainly don't want to feel like I'm feeling right now come next year. I'd love to go out on a high. It's a long season and I only came here for the last four months, but I'll certainly be better for the experience next year."

The 35-year-old also revealed the challenges of playing in North America that weren't present during his tenure in England with Liverpool, such as the varying climates he had to deal with during the Galaxy's away games.

"Going on the road, playing on turf, playing at altitude, playing in humidity, those are the hurdles that I’ve had to face over the last three months that I wasn’t aware of. Every away game has a different challenge," Gerrard said.

An away loss to the Seattle Sounders ended the Galaxy's season in the first round of the MLS playoffs.

"At home, we’ve got no problems because we’re very strong and we play well," he explained. "We’ll always win more than we lose. For us to move forward next year and finish in the top two spots - and avoid games like (Seattle) - we’ve got to be better defensively and stop conceding on set pieces and crosses."

Gerrard, who has yet to win a domestic title in his career, finished his first season in the United States with two goals and three assists during 14 appearances.