Ex-Atlético Madrid, Uruguay defender Diego Godín retires

Uruguayan defender Diego Godín retired from soccer on Sunday following Vélez Sarsfield’s 1-0 loss to Huracán within the final Argentine league recreation of the season, bringing the curtain down on an illustrious 20-year enjoying profession.

The former Atlético Madrid captain made 627 skilled appearances, scored 38 targets and received 10 titles, together with two Europa League trophies and three UEFA Super Cups with the Spanish membership.

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“I wanted to make the decision this way, being healthy, it may seem surprising, but I had been considering it for a while,” the 37-year-old Godín informed Argentine TV.

“Now there are other priorities. My family is in Uruguay and I recently became a dad, I want to rest and enjoy other things, and I wanted to try to leave with a good image on the pitch.”

Uruguay’s Nacional thought-about signing Godín, a supply near the participant informed Reuters, however the centre-back made his closing determination to step away from the pitch after his daughter’s beginning final month.

Godín began his profession in 2003 with Uruguayan aspect CA Cerro. He went on to play for Nacional in 2006 earlier than his transfer to Spain’s Villarreal a season later.

The defender then joined Atlético in 2010, the place he made a reputation for himself as he captained the workforce throughout 9 seasons.

Godín arrived at Velez in mid-2022 following a profitable European run that additionally included spells at Inter Milan and Cagliari, and after spending six months at Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro.

He was capped 161 instances by Uruguay and featured in 4 World Cups as a part of a golden era that received the 2011 Copa America and completed fourth on the 2010 World Cup.