Former Liverpool and Spain legendary international goalkeeper Pepe Reina announced his retirement on Tuesday through his personal Instagram account, ending his 26-year glorious professional football career.

Reina said in an official statement that he never thought his career would last so long, and he was grateful to all the clubs, coaches, teammates, and fans who helped him and gave him opportunities along the way.

Next, he will focus on coaching and pass on the knowledge and experience he has accumulated over the years to the next generation to give back to football.

Reina wrote: "My career has been much longer than I thought, but so short that I am willing to start over. Just three days after the end of "The Last Dance", countless emotions, people and experiences came to my mind, and I can only sum it up with a deep thank you."

"I sincerely thank all the people I met. They are the greatest asset of this profession. I have drawn some strength from them. I will not forget that they helped me have the true honor of a football player."

"I am proud and calm for every moment I have experienced; whether it is a bad moment, it is they who taught me; whether it is a good moment, it is they who made me an extremely happy person. Thank God for giving me a family who are responsible for all the good things in my life, and I will never be able to repay them."

After Reina officially announced his retirement, his former clubs Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Villarreal, Como, etc., and even the Spanish Football Association immediately sent a message to bless the goalkeeper and wish him all the best in his future.

In addition, according to the news brought by Spanish online media outlet Relevo's reisdent renowned Italian transfer journalist Matteo Moretto, Reina is expected to officially return to Villarreal as the goalkeeper coach of its U19A team next week.

About Pepe Reina

Reina, 42, was born in Madrid, Spain on August 31, 1982. He is 1.88 meters tall and plays as a goalkeeper. His father Miguel is a legendary goalkeeper of Barcelona and Atlético Madrid.

Reina joined Barcelona's famous La Masia youth academy when he was 13 years old, and in December 2000, he completed his Barça first-team debut by coming on as a substitute.

In July 2002, Reina joined Villarreal for €700,000. During this time, he became famous after leading the club to win 2 UEFA Intertoto Cups and first tasted playing in the Champions League.

In July 2005, Reina moved to Liverpool for £6.86 million.

During the 9-year spell with the Reds, Reina has become one of Liverpool's most famous legendary goalkeepers in recent years with his excellent shot-stopping abilities and ability to save penalties, where he led the club to win 1 English League Cup, 1 FA Cup, 1 English Community Shield, 1 UEFA Super Cup, reached 1 Champions League final and 1 FIFA Club World Cup final.

However, after the arrival of Belgium international goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, Reina, who fell out with former manager Brendan Rodgers, angrily agreed to move to Napoli on-loan in July 2013 where he teamed up with former manager Rafael Benítez again, helping the I Partenopei win the Coppa Italia.

After returning to the club at the end of his loan the following summer, Reina sadly left the Premier League giants for €5 million to join Bayern Munich and won the Bundesliga with the club.

In July 2015, Reina returned to Napoli for €2 million.

After his contract expired in the summer of 2018, Reina joined AC Milan as a free agent. During this time, he also briefly joined Aston Villa on-loan in January 2020 to replace Tom Heaton, who was ruled out of the season.

In huis half a season spell with the Villans, Reina led the club to a shock Carabao Cup final, but unfortunately lost to Manchester City in the end.

After his contract expired at the end of August 2020, Reina moved to Lazio as a free agent.

In the summer of 2022, Reina returned to Villarreal after his contract had expired.

In the summer of 2022, Reina, who left the team after his contract expired, returned to Villarreal again.

In the summer of 2024, Reina joined Como as a free agent.

This season, Reina played 12 times for the Serie A dark horse in all competitions, conceded 14 goals, and kept 2 clean sheets.