Morientes calls time on illustrious career
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
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Former Spain striker and three-time UEFA Champions League winner Fernando Morientes has retired from football aged 34, bringing to an end a career in which he lifted 16 major trophies.
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Three-time UEFA Champions League winner Fernando Morientes has announced his retirement from football aged 34.
Best known for his spell leading the line for Real Madrid CF, Morientes made his professional debut as a 17-year-old with Albacete Balompié before joining Real Zaragoza in 1995. From there the striker moved to Madrid two years later, going on to enjoy the most fruitful period of his career both in terms of goals and silverware.
In a trophy-laden seven years at the Santiago Bernabéu, Morientes won two Liga titles, the UEFA Champions League on three occasions, two Intercontinental Cups, one UEFA Super Cup and the Spanish Super Cup three times. In 2003/04, Morientes joined AS Monaco FC on loan, appearing in the Ligue 1 club's UEFA Champions League final loss to FC Porto in Gelsenkirchen.
After 72 goals in 182 league games, Morientes signed for Liverpool FC, lifting another UEFA Super Cup and the FA Cup during 18 months at Anfield. Morientes returned to Spain at the beginning of the 2006/07 season, teaming up with David Villa in the Valencia CF forward line. Morientes spent last season at Olympique de Marseille, where his lack of first-team football prompted his retirement despite offers from several clubs.
The Toledo-born player also shone for Spain, striking 27 goals in 47 appearances during an international career which took in the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups as well as UEFA EURO 2004.
