Cesc Fàbregas calls time on his playing career

Former Barça player Cesc Fàbregas has called time on his playing career. Educated at La Masia, the Catalan is hanging up his boots after 21 seasons as a professional. A coaching career now beckons. 

Born in Arenys de Mar, he joined Barça in 1997. He left some wonderful memories during his time in the youth system, notably as part of the successful Under-16 side featuring legends like Leo Messi and Gerard Piqué. A generation that would go on to make their mark in the first team, albeit a few years later in Cesc's case, after his return to Camp Nou.

Back at Barça

The highly talented midfielder left to join Arsène Wenger's Arsenal in 2003, quickly becoming a key part of the Premier League side. After eight superb years in England, he returned to the Club for the 2011/12 season, arriving on August 15 2011.

He had a stunning start to his spell at FC Barcelona, winning two trophies in his first two games - the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid and the European Super Cup against Porto. He also scored three goals in his first four games. He clearly still had the Barça DNA, seamlessly slotting into Pep Guardiola's side without needing time to adapt. The number 4 spent three seasons with the Club and was always heavily involved in play, also having the knack of arriving into the box and scoring goals.

Every coach included Cesc in their plans during his spell at the Club. He played 48 games under both Guardiola and Tito Vilanova, and then 55 under Gerardo Martino. He also played the third highest number of minutes during the 2013/14 season, with only Sergio Busquets and Javier Mascherano playing more.

However, after 151 games and 42 goals, he left for Chelsea FC in the 2014/15 season, but not before achieving milestones for the Club, such as scoring Barça's 5,500th goal in LaLiga, and winning six trophies - One LaLiga, one Copa del Rey, one World Club Championship, a European Super Cup, and two Spanish Super Cups. Let's not forget that he also won the Euros twice and the World Cup once with the Spanish national side. 

Monaco and Como were Cesc Fàbregas' final two clubs. An excellent midfielder may be hanging up his boots, but he is setting out on a coaching career with the Como youth side. A new stage in the career of a blaugrana who will live long in the memory of FC Barcelona fans.