Athletic Bilbao announced on its official website on Thursday that the club's veteran Spanish right-back, will retire Óscar de Marcos, ending his 18-year professional career as a footballer.

In addition to announcing his imminent retirement, Athletic Bilbao also held a special farewell ceremony for De Marcos at the stadium.

At the farewell ceremony, De Marcos, with tears in his eyes, said emotionally: "Today I am not here to say goodbye, but to express my gratitude. Here, I will say goodbye to my family in this place where I grew up as a person and a professional player."

"For 16 years, I have given everything and received more. I came here and didn't know how long this time would last. It could be a day, a month, a year... But in the end I stayed because I found my place here."

"I was warmly welcomed, like one of them, like my son. Over time, I felt that I had become part of this family. The Lezama Stadium is more than just a training ground. It makes me full of goals and hope every morning."

"San Mamés Stadium …San Mamés has been my temple. There, I found shelter, patience and love. There, the fans made me feel like I was back where I belong. ”

“Today I say goodbye, yes, but I am not leaving completely. Because when you experience so much love, it takes root. Even if my body leaves, a part of me will always remain here. Thank you very much. Thank you for making this dream eternal. ”

“I chose to be myself because I've learned to be myself here. But first, I want to share with you a very good reflection, or a conclusion, that I got after the game against Manchester United. When everything is disappointing, there is always something inside me that transforms it into a lesson, perhaps the question I asked myself countless times along the way. Answer. ”

“What is Athletic Bilbao to you?”

“For me, Athletic Bilbao is more than a name, more than a club. It is the tip of a huge iceberg, the best part of which is… precisely what is invisible.”

“Under this shining word lies the loyalty of a region, an unquestionable loyalty, and the camaraderie that accompanies you.”

“It means always serving the team. It means walking side by side, silently.”

“For many, this is football. For me, this is family.”

“This is friendship to cherish, this is an education that cannot be imparted on a whiteboard, but needs to be passed on through example and respect. By giving rather than taking, keeping silent when necessary, fighting to the last breath ... and stick with it. ”

“That’s why, when I think about my children, I don’t want them to learn to love a club. I want them to learn to live like they did at Athletic Bilbao. Not with an eye on winning, but with an eye on how to travel through history. ”

“I don’t want to just show them a badge, I want them to know a way of being.”

“I want them to know that being a member of Athletic Bilbao is more than just a jersey or a fluttering badge. It means loyalty, fairness and honesty, even when no one is watching.”

About Óscar de Marcos

De Marcos, 36, was born in Laguardia, Basque Country, Spain on April 14, 1989. He is 1.82 meters tall and primarily plays as a right back. He can also play as a right midfielder.

De Marcos has joined Alaves' youth academy since he was a child. He began playing for Alaves B team in 2007 and completed his Alaves first-team debut by coming on as a substitute in December of the following year.

In July 2009, De Marcos moved to Athletic Bilbao for €350,000.

During his 16-year spell with Euskaldunak, De Marcos has played 532 times in all competitions for the La Liga powerhouse, scoring 39 goals and assisting 60 times, during which he has won the Supercopa de España twice, the Copa del Rey once, and reached the Europa League final once with the club.