Few players are as highly regarded for the beauty they produce on the pitch as Xabi Alonso.
It should come as little surprise that a real footballer’s footballer like the former Spain midfielder would inspire so much adulation when he decided to announce his retirement on Thursday morning.
The game’s great and good have come out on social media to offer up thanks to Alonso for his exceptional career and the brilliance that he provided on the field.
Most notable are a number of former Liverpool players who worked with Alonso during his time on Merseyside.