The End of An Era: Iker Casillas Retires

Yes, I have briefly crawled out from my rock and I hope to soon explain where I have been but for today, it’s all about Iker. Our beloved former Capi called time on a beautiful career. He will always be an icon for Madridistas. I miss his grandpa sweaters, copious tears, pre-game besos and the way he loved Real Madrid so damn much. We were lucky to have him. RM made an official statement full of love (I am side eyeing them a bit, though) and shared a great video – almost 8 minutes of Iker doing what he did best: saves, glorious saves.

Thank you, Iker. We love you.

– Lozil

I’m Just Not Ready To Say Goodbye

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And now, the end is near…

A post shared by Xabi Alonso (@xabialonso) on May 19, 2017 at 5:08am PDT

When Xabi posted this yesterday, I started blubbering like a baby and to be honest, I haven’t really stopped. Every time I try to write about it, think about it or look at pictures, I start wailing again. He may have been ready to call time on his career but I’m certainly not. So it’s going to take me a bit to be able to write coherently about this heartbreaking day.

But for now, I’ll just leave it at this: Thank you, Xabi.

– Lozil

All The Gerlonso Feels

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Xavi you are pure quality . A class act on the pitch and a gentlemen off it . It was a pleasure to play alongside you and I missed you every day from the moment you left the reds . Congratulations on your perfect career and good luck to you and your family In the future . #legend 👌🏻👍❤️ @xabialonso

A post shared by Steven Gerrard (@stevengerrard) on Mar 9, 2017 at 4:39am PST

Because right now, Stevie is all of us. And he’s so obvs still pining for Xabi. It’s like live action fan fic. (But that said, I burst out laughing when I realized he spelled it “Xavi” Oy vey. )

– Lozil

Catching Up & Prepping For Betis

Got a bit of catching up to do here. After the Xabi news, I wasn’t much for posting yesterday. Sigh.

Xabi Alonso Confirms Retirement At The End Of The Season

Lived it. Loved it.

Farewell beautiful game. pic.twitter.com/1aSN7GGNzZ

— Xabi Alonso (@XabiAlonso) March 9, 2017

::Uncontrollable sobbing:: Xabi has confirmed that he will be retiring from football at the end of this season and posted this poignant photo on Twitter.

I knew it was coming, but it still hurts. Let’s hope our (I’ll always think of him as ours) GQMF decides to continue modeling because I don’t think that I can survive without seeing him regularly. What an elegant, smart player. He was  a pleasure to watch and I will miss him terribly. (And I hope that Bayern win lots this year so we can get at least one more look at Drunk!Xabi)

– Lozil

90′ Will Never Be The Same Without You

USWNT icon Abby Wambach plays her last game in just a few hours and her teammates prepared this beautiful and emotional send off for her. And that wasn’t the only Abby related video that broke me today.

Raul To Retire

It’s a sad day for football and Madridistas in particular. El Angel de Madrid has decided to hang up his boots next month at the end of the NASL season.

It’s Official: Xabi Alonso Retires From International Football

BREAKING NEWS | @XabiAlonso announces he quits the Spanish National Football Team (@SeFutbol) #GraciasXabi http://t.co/5wIBQHeVZc—
Selección Española (@SeFutbol) August 27, 2014

Not surprising, but it’s still a bit of an ache to think we won’t see him wearing the La Roja kit again.