Xabi Alonso to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Alonso fans. Speculation had been rife that coach of Bayer Leverkusen’s title season is about to announce his retirement from sports, at age 44, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 22/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a footballer isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a footballer-coach just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouXabi

For a little while on Saturday evening, #ThankYouXabi was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“Xabi Alonso was unlike any other footballer we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouXabi”
— @universalObserver, 21 Mar 2026

“Alonso wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 21 Mar 2026

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