The Spanish forward, who has been playing in Japan for Sagan Tosu since leaving Atletico Madrid last year, held a press conference in Tokyo to explain his decision to retire from the game after an 18-year career.
The 35-year-old said he wanted to leave football with a ‘clear conscience’ and before he felt he could not carry on mentally or physically in the game he loves.
“I have a high demand for myself,” he said.
“I’ve always wanted to be honest and to perform at the level I think I should and I think the time I will not be able to perform at the level I ask for myself is not far away and I don’t want to arrive at the time that I am going on the pitch and I’m not enjoying it.
“I want to put an end before that happens. Knowing my body and listening to my body, I think especially mentally that time is not far away and I want to finish my career in a good way before that happens.”
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Asked who had made the biggest impression during his career, the Spaniard, who played at Anfield between 2007-2011, did not hesitate to name his former captain.