[캡틴 제라드, 은퇴 선언 후 SNS에 남긴 장문의 글]

Following recent media speculation surrounding my future I can confirm my retirement from playing professional football.I have had an incredible career and am thankful for each and every moment of my time at Liverpool, England and LA Galaxy.
 

I feel very fortunate to have had the career I've had but none of it would have been possible without the support of so many people.

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone at Liverpool Football Club. I am proud to have played for and captained Liverpool for so many years and to have achieved what we achieved during my time at the club. 
I was lucky to play alongside some great players and under some fantastic managers during my time at Anfield and would like to thank each and every one of them, as well as all of the backroom staff at the club for the fantastic support they showed me.

I would like to say a special thank you to Steve Heighway, Dave Shannon and Hugh McAuley for believing in me when I was making my way at Liverpool and for giving me the platform to go on and fulfil my dreams.

Thank you to the amazing fans of Liverpool, England and LA Galaxy for the incredible backing you have given me throughout my career. Your loyalty and support has meant the world.

I would like to thank Struan Marshall, my agent throughout my career, and the team at Wasserman for all of their support over the past 18 years.

I feel lucky to have had such a close group of friends that I have always been able to count and rely on throughout the course of my career. Thank you to all of you.

Finally, the most important thank you; to my family. I cannot thank my Mum, Dad and brother Paul enough for their unconditional support over the years, it has meant everything to me. To my wife Alex and children Lily, Lexie and Lourdes, thank you for the constant love and support you’ve shown me. You’ve been there through the good times and the bad and without you nothing would have been possible. Thank you for everything.

I am excited about the future and feel I still have a lot to offer the game. I am currently taking my time to consider a number of options and will make an announcement with regards to the next stage of my career very soon.

미디어에서 이미 언급한바와 같이 나의 프로축구선수로서의 은퇴를 공식 선언한다. 나는 믿을 수 없는 환상적인 축구선수로서의 커리어를 보냈으며 리버풀에서, LA 갤럭시에서, 잉글랜드 대표팀에서 매 순간 나를 지지해준 모든 이 들에게 감사한다. 당신들이 없었다면 나의 축구선수로서의 커리어는 이처럼 행복할 수 없었을 것이다.

우선 리버풀과 관련된 모든 사람들에게 감사를 전한다. 리버풀에서 오랜 시간 동안 주장완장을 달고 경기를 뛴 것과 리버풀에서 세운 업적에 대해 아주 자랑스럽게 생각한다. 안필드에서 위대한 선수들과 함께 호흡을 맞출 수 있었던 것 또한 나에겐 행운이었으며 함께 뛴 선수들과 리버풀과 관련된 모든 스탭들에게 감사를 전한다.

(중략)

마지막으로 나의 가족들에게 무한한 감사의 말을 전한다. 어머니, 아버지 그리고 폴. 당신들의 무조건적인 사랑과 지원에 감사하며 꾸준히 나를 응원해준 나의 아내 Alex그리고 Lexie, Lily 그리고 Lourders 에게도 고맙다는 말을 전한다. 좋은 일이 있던 나쁜 일이 있던 항상 당신들이 내 곁에 있어주었기에 모든 것이 가능했다.

앞으로도 축구분야에  헌신하며 많은 일을 할 수 있을 것에 대해 흥분을 감출 수 없다. 앞으로의 일정에 대해서는 현재 여러 가지 옵션을 갖고 심도 있게 고려 중이며 조만간 공식적으로 나의 거취에 대해 발표할 예정이다. 

(발 번역 주의)

축구화의 모든것

All that boots