OFFICIAL: 36-year-old former Barca & Man City striker Nolito hangs up the boots

OFFICIAL: 36-year-old former Barca & Man City striker Nolito hangs up the boots

Nolito Statement:

Addressing you all with a mixture of emotions that are difficult to describe. The time has come where I have to say goodbye to the passion that has been my life for so many years: football. I have been privileged and I have felt fortunate to be able to enjoy to the fullest this wonderful sport that has allowed me to live so many things and take with me, forever, countless memories. Special thanks to my family for supporting me from day one to the last. Also want to thank all the people who've been a part of my career in one way or another. To all my former colleagues and workers from all the teams I have had the pleasure of being a part of. I will never forget all the love and appreciation that the fans have always shown me. Finally, I want to make a special mention to Sanlúcar de Barrameda, my town, and my friends from At.Sanluqueño. I have felt overwhelmed to receive so much love with the wish that I could finish my career in the club where I started professionally but I think it is time to start new challenges.

Thank you so much, football! Farewell!

Playing for Atletico Sanluqueno, Ecija, Barcelona, Benfica, Granada, Celta Vigo, City, Sevilla and Ibiza, Nolito had two spells at Celta where he perhaps felt most at home. Nolito made 514 appearances over the course of his career, scoring 126 goals and providing 66 assists.

In addition, he won 16 caps for Spain and scored 6 goals, securing a starting role for Spain’s Euro 2016 run. While he impressed in fits and starts at City under Pep Guardiola, his best spell was no doubt with Celta in the three seasons before, when he was involved in 16, 26 and 19 goals respectively in each season.

Nolito was well respected for his work-rate, quick feet and eye for goal from out wide, often crediting Luis Enrique with his jump to the top level of the game. Having worked under some of the finer minds in the game, it would be no surprise if he took up coaching, although it does not appear to be on the cards currently.