Jakarta –
Bojan Krkic has decided to retire from football. Vissel Kobe was the last club to be strengthened by the 32-year-old striker from Spain.
Krkic began to stick out when he rose from the Barcelona academy and appeared with the first team led by Pep Guardiola. He won 10 trophies during 2007-2011, including three LaLiga titles, two Champions Leagues and one Copa del Rey.
Despite tasting a lot of success at a young age, Krkic didn’t necessarily feel at home in Barcelona. He is more often a backup than the main choice. The spotlight on him also took a toll on his mental health. He then left Camp Nou and embarked on an overseas adventure.
Starting from AS Roma, AC Milan, Ajax Amsterdam, Stoke City, Mainz 05, to Alaves he defended in the 2011-2019 period. But instead of shining, it just dimmed. In addition, injuries also hindered his performance.
No longer being looked at in Europe, he wandered far to Canada, defending Montreal in mid-2019. However, he only lasted a season and a half and only made 31 appearances, scoring seven goals. In the summer of 2021, he moved to the Japan League.
But the luck is not much different. He only appeared 26 times and scored one goal there. He then left Kobe last January, then decided to hang up his boots in March.
“This decision was not easy. I have been away from home for 12 years and professionally I have had enough,” said Krkic, quoted by ESPN.
“I want to enjoy the next phase (in life), to be closer to my family. It’s not caused by a physical problem. I’ve had three injuries, but I’ve recovered, recovered 100 per cent.”
“It’s a matter of feeling, a matter of reality. I now feel more enthusiastic about doing other things than playing football. I am grateful for everything I have experienced in my career.”
“I’ve played for Barcelona, I’ve played with great players, I’ve won many trophies and I also feel like I’m playing in another league. Now I’m ready to start something new,” explained the player with Serbian blood.
Krkic emerged at a young age, and was even predicted to be Lionel Messi’s successor. That was thanks to his stunning performances at the junior level with Barcelona, when he scored no less than 900 goals. At senior Barcelona level, he scored 41 goals in 163 matches.
(adp/ran)
