１年前の今日、１１月２４日。
リバプールファンの間に衝撃が奔りました。
青天の霹靂。
スティーブン・ジェラードが現役引退を発表。
その一報を知ったときの気持ちは、言葉で表すことはできません。
多くのファンの皆さんも、いろいろな思いが交差したことでしょう。
寂しい
哀しい
おつかれさま
ありがとう
きっと、共通している思いとは、感謝！だったのではないでしょうか。
リバプールのレジェンド。
幾多のドラマを生み、数多くの感動を与えてくれました。
奇跡
スティーブン・ジェラード自身が、Instagramで引退を表明したときのこと。
今でも憶えています。
そのとき、スティービーが投稿したものを、今一度、振り返ってみたいと思います。
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.
Steven Gerrardさん(@stevengerrard)がシェアした投稿 -
スティーブン・ジェラード
リバプールでの公式戦出場数：７１０試合
リバプールでの公式戦ゴール数：１８６
今、スティーブン・ジェラードは、故郷リバプールへと戻り、若手の育成に尽力してくれています。
いつの日か、スティーブン・ジェラードがつくったチームが、リバプールをプレミアリーグの王者とし、ヨーロッパを制覇することを待ち望みたいと思います。
改めて、ありがとう！
スティービー！
