At 38 years old and after an interesting career that spanned two decades,
Lucas Biglia
, world runner-up with the
Argentine National Team
in the
2014 World Cup in Brazil
, announced this Friday his definitive retirement from professional soccer.
Emerging from the
Argentinos Juniors
quarry and with steps remembered by
Independiente
,
Lazio
and
Milan
, the midfielder decided to hang up his boots to focus on his family and begin his journey as technical director.
"I made the decision to retire. It ended in a forced retirement
," said the midfielder in dialogue with TyC Sports, detailing that it was a resolution made together with his family. Based in Italy, he commented that he will begin taking the coaching course and will go in search of new objectives, always in relation to football.
NOW: LUCAS BIGLIA ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT FROM PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL!
The midfielder who emerged from Argentinos Juniors, with time at Independiente and member of a great generation in the Argentine National Team told TyC Sports of his intention to hang up his boots and explained: "IT'S A DECISION… pic.twitter.com/fmQmGXoio7
— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) February 2, 2024
Biglia revealed that both Argentinos Juniors and Independiente knocked on his door on occasion to try a possible return to Argentine football and explained that he deeply appreciated the interest but that returning to the country did not fit with his plans at that time.
His return to Bicho de La Paternal even sounded loud at the end of last year when he declared his love for the club at an event that commemorated the 20th anniversary of the reopening of the Diego Armando Maradona stadium.
"This club formed me as a player, coming back after 20 years is very nice," the former soccer player for Belgian
Anderlecht
and Turkish teams
Fatih Karagümrük
and
Basaksehir
had commented then .
First Selection
The National Team was his second home from 2011 to 2018, during which time he was runner-up in the world in Brazil 2014 - only four of those who played in the final at the Maracaná are still active - and also in the Copa América in 2015 and 2016.
Biglia was part of a generation in which the most important titles slipped through their fingers, but which excited an entire country on several occasions.
He was present in the most difficult moments and said goodbye in Russia 2018. Like many, he did not get revenge like
Lionel Messi
and
Ángel Di María
, who finally got rid of the thorn in Qatar 2022.
Lucas Biglia with the Argentine National Team in a friendly against Germany.
His greatest joys with the Albiceleste were in the youth team: he became South American U-17 champion in 2003 and won the 2005 U-20 World Cup, also with Messi as standard bearer.
Biglia took the opportunity to send a message of support to his former Aelección partner
Ezequiel 'Pocho' Lavezzi
, who is currently admitted to a rehabilitation center after suffering a health crisis as a result of his addictions.
"'Pocho' knows that he has many people who appreciate him and love him. From time to time I send him a message. He needs his mother and son to be close to him. He is not alone," he commented Biglia.