Athletes are modern day heroes. They’re our role models when we are kids and we aspire to be like them. Even to the ridiculous point of imitating the way they dress, play, and even the hairstyles. Are any Ronaldo or Beckham’s fans feeling related? They show us on the pitch, through the game we love how to act. So when a legend that we’ve spent at least a decade admiring retiree is like if we lost a dear friend.
In this case is a well-known legend, not only in the world of soccer but worldwide. Steven Gerrard, one of Liverpool FC’s legend and finest gem. Today the English player has decided to hang on his boots, and the world of soccer has paid tribute to it. Since those same boots gave tons of fans and rivals heart-stopping moments and rocket shots from yards away. As well being part of what for many has been the most legendary UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul on 2005.
Gerrard, 36, was a born a fan of Merseyside team.
So when he fulfilled his dream, as he said, of playing for it and being it’s captain he was over the moon. Something every child watching his favourite sport on TV would aspire. He went on making 710 appearances for the Reds, scoring 186 goals, assisting 92 and winning nine major trophies.
After his contract wasn’t renovated by the club he joined MLS side LA Galaxy in 2015.
So when he left Liverpool he thanked the fans saying that he thanked all the Liverpool family that “I fulfilled my childhood dream by pulling on the famous red shirt of Liverpool.”
Also, the fans chanted and had a banner in the farewell saying “The Best There Is. The Best There Was. And The Best There Will Ever Be.” He became a symbol for the club and its supporters as he stayed with the club through 17 years in good and bad times. A loyalty is hard to find nowadays in sports.
He inspired the team in many difficult situations.
And lead them to win two FA Cups, and three League Cups, a Community Shield, a UEFA super cup and the legendary UEFA Champions of 2005. Coming up from being 3-0 down at half time to beat the Italian giants AC Milan on penalties that night in Istanbul, he scored the first goal for Liverpool. Four of the 10 major finals Gerrard contested went to penalties and Liverpool won all of them
Gerrard suffered highs and lows at Liverpool.
Especially the slip against Chelsea at Anfield when they looked certain to win the Premier League in 2014. He is associated with the club as a magnificent player who was a loyal, inspirational leader and personality throughout his career. He is such a big part of Liverpool’s folklore that In 2015 Liverpool fans voted Gerrard the best player in the club’s history.
He may never have won the Premier League.
With his Liverpool side finishing second in the table on three occasions. But without a doubt, he is one of the competition’s legends with some of most impressive statistics. Only two players have made more appearances for a single club in the competition – Ryan Giggs, 632, and Jamie Carragher, 508 – with the Anfield stalwart making the PFA Premier League team of the year in eight of his 17 seasons at the club. As well he scored 5 times against bitter rivals Manchester United, a club record, and netting 10 goals in all competitions in Merseyside derbies against rivals Everton, including a hat-trick in March 2012.
The midfielder is also England’s 4th most-capped player.
With 114 appearances and captained the side at three of the six major tournaments he played at. Being England’s 5th player with most captaincies won, captaining his country at three major tournaments.
Gerrard made his England debut against Ukraine in 2000 and scored his first international goal in a 5-1 win in Germany in a 2002 World Cup qualifier in 2001 the following year. Fabio Capello was the first England manager to make Gerrard his captain in 2008, but he took on the role on a more permanent the 2010 World Cup.
| England’s longest-serving captains | |
|---|---|
| 1= Bobby Moore | 90 captaincies (won 57) |
| 1= Billy Wright | 90 (49) |
| 3 Bryan Robson | 65 (32) |
| 4 David Beckham | 59 (35) |
| 5 Steven Gerrard | 38 (20) |
Since his retirement Gerrard.
Has been linked to a job as MK Dons manager but said on Wednesday the opportunity came “too soon” for him. As well he has been linked with a move to Newcastle United and Celtic, Right now he is working to get his UEFA A coaching license. He said he needed time to consider the next stage of his career.
Actual Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said that he is open to giving him a coaching role at the club and said he should be given “room and space to jump in and learn something new (…) The door is always open for him. From our side, if he wants to make a different career to his former career then we want to help him.
As well the world of football has recognise the football legend through social media. Saying goodbye to a real legend.
Acknowledging that You Will Never Walk Alone Gerrard.