A career that began in the last century is arriving at its final stop. Next Friday, Pepe Reina will retire from football.One of the most well-known veterans in European football will play the final match of his illustrious career next Friday in the clash between Como and Inter. Of course, that depends on whether coach Cesc Fabregas allows it, since Reina has mostly been a backup lately. However, it’s very likely the Spanish coach will honor his older compatriot, with whom he has shared many moments in his career, and start Reina in goal against the Nerazzurri — especially since the points don’t mean much to Como in that match.🚨🇪🇸 Pepe Reina retires from professional football, leaves Como and he will sign at Villarreal as new coach of Juvenil A team. pic.twitter.com/sI6zuV4xJq— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 20, 2025 “A beautiful career is coming to an end. When I look back at all I’ve experienced, I feel like a happy man,” Reina said tonight. And he’s right. It truly was a great one.Pepe Reina played in nearly 1,000 matches throughout his career — mostly for some of Europe’s biggest clubs. Born in Madrid, he joined Barcelona at the age of 13, where his father Miguel had once been a goalkeeper. He came through the famous La Masia academy, played for the C and B teams, and found himself in the first team at just 18 due to injuries to Richard Dutruel and Francesc Arnau. He played close to 50 games for the Blaugrana’s first team over two seasons, but left once it became clear that Robert Bonano was considered the club’s starting goalkeeper. Those were Barcelona’s uncertain years when it came to goalkeepers… Only later did they find what they had in Reina in Víctor Valdes.Pepe Reina – FC Barcelona #FCB #LaLigaLottery pic.twitter.com/O5hQsY7wct— Bill Fernley ⚽️ (@brf_1871) November 2, 2023 What Barca failed to see, Villarreal did. Reina rose to prominence at El Madrigal, performing brilliantly over three seasons and knocking on the door of the Spanish national team. He was one of the pioneers among modern goalkeepers known for being just as skillful with their feet as with their hands. Thanks to his technique, footwork, positioning, and involvement in play, Rafa Benitez brought him to Liverpool as the successor to Istanbul hero Jerzy Dudek.Reina spent eight years guarding Liverpool’s goal, winning various domestic cup trophies — though not the biggest ones. He was in goal during the Champions League final loss to Milan, and before that, in the FIFA Club World Cup final defeat to São Paulo. But he still claimed honors such as the UEFA Super Cup, English League Cup, FA Cup, and Community Shield.🚨JUST IN:Pepe Reina, World Cup 🏆 and two-time European champion 🇪🇸, will retire after Como’s final Serie A match against Inter. “The time has come to say goodbye to football.” pic.twitter.com/mcOSO7NKFw— Attacking Football (@AttackingFooty) May 19, 2025 He initially left Liverpool on loan to Napoli, once again joining Benitez, and then moved to Bayern Munich at the invitation of Pep Guardiola, to provide competition for Manuel Neuer and give Bayern another goalkeeper adept with his feet in training. He played little in Munich and decided to return to Napoli, where he was a regular starter for three seasons. He won the Bundesliga with Bayern and the Coppa Italia with Napoli, but overall, his club trophy cabinet feels light for such a storied career.At 36, Reina left Napoli to join AC Milan as a backup and mentor to Gianluigi Donnarumma, then returned to England a year and a half later. He served as a short-term solution at Aston Villa following Tom Heaton’s injury. After his Napoli contract ended, he also had a stint with a third Italian club — Lazio — where he spent two seasons, before returning to Villarreal. At 40, he was a regular starter in his first season back, and later supported young Filip Jorgensen.Pepe Reina – AC Milan to Aston Villa on loan (2020) pic.twitter.com/IQFqTIoQG8— Transfersthathappened (@actualtransfers) March 18, 2024 He had promised to end his career at Villarreal, but then came a call from his former national team teammate, Cesc Fabregas, asking for his experience and leadership at Como. The two had played together for 10 years in the Spanish national team, winning a World Cup and two European Championships, building a great relationship. That’s why Reina headed back to Italy last summer. However, it was clear this season that his reflexes had declined, and he was ready to hang up the gloves. Como brought in Frenchman Jean Butez during the winter break. On Friday, Reina will likely get the nod in goal to mark his 990th — and final — professional appearance.Pepe Reina taking a penalty against Manchester United. #ICC2018 #ACMilan #LFC 💪🏼🔴 pic.twitter.com/4UcGVF5r7H— WhyAlwaysMe 🚀 (@Marttgalaxy) July 26, 2018 He’s already prepared for a new adventure — once again in Villarreal. But this time, as a youth coach, taking over the club’s academy team this summer. He’ll follow in the footsteps of Guardiola, Xabi Alonso, and Raul, all of whom began their coaching careers working with youth teams at their beloved clubs. Villarreal has one of the best academies in Spain, and the chance to learn from someone of Reina’s stature will be invaluable for its young players.##NAJAVA_MECA_8939875##
