“I couldn’t imagine life without football, but it’s time to start following the mind, not the heart. We have only one health. I have civil life ahead of me, and I want to have it on some level, not in pain.”He said before emotions burst out of him during a farewell press conference ahead of his final game of the season, at home against DAC Dunajska Sreda 1904 this weekend.WED: 22.00: (2.55) EINTRACHT (3.20) RANGERS (3.10)Former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel was always a fearless fighter, but his medical condition has taken its toll, and he had to say goodbye to a game he loves so much.The Slovakian, 37, joined the Reds from Zenit St Petersburg in January 2008 and went on to make 320 appearances for the club across an eight-and-a-half-year stay at Anfield.Wishing you all the best in your retirement, Martin Škrtel ❤ pic.twitter.com/UMOgtruq5T— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 17, 2022 He also provided 18 goals, including one in the 2012 League Cup final, as he helped Liverpool lift the trophy at Wembley under Kenny Dalglish.Skrtel was also part of the Scousers’ teams that finished second in the Premier League under Rafael Benitez in 2008-09 and Brendan Rodgers in 2013-14, respectively.Klopp changed nine starters, but the outcome is the same: Liverpool win to set up final day thrillerHe featured for Jurgen Klopp following his appointment as manager in October 2015 and departed Merseyside to join Fenerbahce in the summer of 2016.”Because of long-time back problems, it’s impossible for me to keep playing,” Skrtel posted on social media. “That’s why I had to make such a decision.”I want to thank all football clubs, coaches, [teammates] and all fans of all clubs from all countries where I’ve ever played. Certainly, I want to thank all my friends and especially my family.”Thanks to my wife, son, parents [and] relatives for staying by me and supporting me all these years. Thank you a lot.””I don’t remember a day I spent without pain. I have been training and wrestling under pills and injections in recent months,’ he added.##EDITORS_CHOICE##”I had a problem walking with my son a hundred metres. The pain is pretty bad. The worst issues are running, jumping and the impact. This is something we need in football.”Therefore, I had to decide that the match with Dunajska would be the last. The last one not only in Spartak, but also in my career, ” he concluded.
