Two-time Champions League winner once dubbed ‘next Messi’ retires at 32 and turns focus to completely different sport
EX-BARCELONA hero Bojan Krkic has found a Nou gear – after quitting football at 32 to enjoy cycling.
The two-time Champion League winner once dubbed the “new Messi” says his dreams are as powerful as the one he had aged 10 – to play for Barca.
The bike fan, who played for Stoke from 2014-2019, left Japanese club Vissel Kobe in January.
And now the one-cap Spaniard has confirmed his retirement as a player, days after Barcelona legend Gerard Pique leaked the news by mistake.
Bojan revealed he agonised over his decision but now plans to have fun trail riding.
He posted on Instagram: “After traveling around the world, I return to my home to communicate to you one of the most deliberate, difficult and, at the same time, most important decisions of my life: I stop being a professional footballer because I feel that I have to start a new phase.
“And I do it with the same enthusiasm as that 10-year-old boy who dreamed of playing at the Camp Nou with the Barça first team. Never stop dreaming. Never stop smiling. Thanks!”
Bojan won LaLiga four times in the second of his three spells at the Nou Camp, also playing for Roma and Montreal Impact, plus having loan spells with AC Milan, Ajax, Mainz 05 and Alaves.
And he’ll use much of his new free time for gravel cycling.
Former Barcelona team-mate Andres Iniesta has joined him in promoting a new cycling brand, Guava.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
Bojan said: “It is a good way to combine sport and social activity.
“I could participate soon to be in some races. I’m going to prepare for it.
“I have always liked the bike, even as a means of transportation, but for about five years I have loved gravel. Whenever I can, I go out to do my routes.”