Alonso: I am in my prime; last season was the year I played the most

Celta de Vigo previously announced a two-year contract extension with their defender, Alonso.

Alonso attended the contract extension press conference, stating that last season was the year in which he played the most minutes of his career and that he is currently at his peak.

Alonso came through the Real Madrid youth academy. After leaving in the summer of 2010, he played for Bolton, Fiorentina, Sunderland, Chelsea, and Barcelona, among other teams.

Alonso said: "I thank the club for their trust in me. The team has a very good plan, and I want to stay here to help the team continue to grow."

"A two-year extension was not my top priority. I re-evaluate every year. If all goes well, I will see out this two-year contract. If things don't go well, the club won't have too much trouble releasing me. I originally considered going somewhere with a more comfortable playing environment, but I am still fighting here. The team is growing and has achieved good results over the past two years. I will do my best to continue contributing and help the team improve."

The atmosphere in the team's locker room is excellent, and everyone wants me to stay. These factors certainly influenced my decision. It was precisely because of my harmonious relationship with my teammates and this city that I ultimately decided to stay. The contract extension was actually finalized last week, but I didn't want to end my vacation early, so the signing was completed after my vacation ended and I rejoined the team for training. Of course, I received some generous offers, but I prefer Celta de Vigo to maintain its current situation. Compared to those generous offers, Celta de Vigo is obviously closer to my home.

“Occasionally, I see discussions in the media about my physical condition and whether I’m considering retirement, but last season I played 43 games, starting 42 of them, which was the most playing time of my career. I’m in pretty good shape now. I often take things one step at a time, so maybe I’m at the peak of my career right now. I’ve always paid close attention to maintenance, but there’s no secret recipe—just rest, diet, and training. I love playing football, and if one day I feel I’m no longer fit to play, I’ll leave on my own.”

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