Former Barcelona star Bojan Krkic, once hailed as the new Lionel Messi, has announced his retirement from professional football at 32 years of age.
Bojan graduated from the La Masia academy back in 2007 and spent the next four years in the Barca senior squad before being sold to Roma. The Spaniard went on to play for Milan, Ajax, Stoke City, Mainz, Alaves and MLS outfit the Montreal Impact as he struggled to maintain full fitness and prove himself as a consistent performer.
Bojan moved to Japan to take up a new challenge with Vissel Kobe in 2021, but left the club in January and has now decided to hang up his boots. In a special ceremony at the Auditori 1899 of Camp Nou on Thursday, Krkic announced his retirement in the presence of Barcelona president Joan Laporta.
These decisions are not easy. I have been away from home for 12 years and I feel fulfilled professionally,” he said. “I wanted to enjoy the next stage [of my life] closer to my family. It’s not a physical issue. I have had three injuries, but I recovered, I am 100%. It is a feeling, it’s the reality. I am more excited about doing other things now than to keep playing football. I am grateful for everything I have experienced. I have played for Barcelona, I’ve played with great players, I have won trophies and I have played in other leagues. But I am ready to start new things now.”
