‘I Cannot Continue’ – Arsenal Defender, Nacho Monreal Announces Retirement From Football Aged 36 After Failing To Recover From Serious Knee Injury

Former Arsenal defender, Nacho Monreal has announced his retirement from professional football after failing to recover from serious knee injury.

Monreal made 251 appearances for the Gunners before signing a two-year deal with LaLiga side Real Sociedad in 2019.

The 36-year-old went on to make 69 appearances over two seasons with the Spanish giants before sustaining a knee injury that ruled him out of the 2021-2022 campaign.

Sociedad made the decision to release Monreal in May 2022 and the Spanish defender decided to hang up his boots as a result.  

On Wednesday, August 17, he took to social media to announce his decision to retire,  claiming he ‘cannot continue’ because of his knee.  

’36 years playing football. 16 as a professional. Squeezing my body and taking it to limits that I would never have imagined,’ Monreal wrote.

My knee sends me a message… loud and clear; I cannot continue! Do I get mad? NO! I listen to it and accept the situation and thank it for everything.

‘A stage is over. Another starts. I’m happy and feeling good. One more time… I FEEL GOOD!!! And that gives me peace of mind.

‘Life is a gift and I like to be grateful. Thank you @caosasuna @rfef @malagacf @arsenal @realsociedad for letting me cross your paths.
‘What a good years….’

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