Jose Enrique celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against Swansea City in 2013. PA Archive / PA Images
PA Archive / PA Images / PA Images
SPANISH LEFT-BACK JOSE Enrique has announced his retirement from football.
The former Liverpool and Newcastle United defender has been forced to bring his career to a premature conclusion after being unable to shake off a long-term knee injury.
Advertisement
“I couldn’t play without medication. I did not even train. It was hard, desperate. Sometimes I got dizzy in training on so much medication,” he told Spanish publication Marca.
“After every game my knee swelled like a ball and I was barely able to walk for three days. Something that was supposed to be for three months ended up turning into two years.
“I saw five doctors in England but they did not get the problem. It hurts me, but so many times they told me that it was a psychological problem that I came to believe it.”
Enrique joined Newcastle from Villarreal in 2007. After four years at St James’ Park, he signed for Liverpool and made 99 appearances, winning a League Cup in 2012, before departing for Real Zaragoza in 2016.
Despite undergoing further surgery on the injury, the problem persisted and Enrique has now brought the curtain down on his career after just one season back in Spain.
“I want to be an older man who can walk, not an invalid,” he added.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
6 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Former Liverpool defender Enrique forced to retire at 31: 'I couldn't play without medication'
SPANISH LEFT-BACK JOSE Enrique has announced his retirement from football.
The former Liverpool and Newcastle United defender has been forced to bring his career to a premature conclusion after being unable to shake off a long-term knee injury.
“I couldn’t play without medication. I did not even train. It was hard, desperate. Sometimes I got dizzy in training on so much medication,” he told Spanish publication Marca.
“After every game my knee swelled like a ball and I was barely able to walk for three days. Something that was supposed to be for three months ended up turning into two years.
“I saw five doctors in England but they did not get the problem. It hurts me, but so many times they told me that it was a psychological problem that I came to believe it.”
Enrique joined Newcastle from Villarreal in 2007. After four years at St James’ Park, he signed for Liverpool and made 99 appearances, winning a League Cup in 2012, before departing for Real Zaragoza in 2016.
Despite undergoing further surgery on the injury, the problem persisted and Enrique has now brought the curtain down on his career after just one season back in Spain.
“I want to be an older man who can walk, not an invalid,” he added.
Do you agree with our SSE Airtricity League team of the month?
Former Dundalk star Richie Towell makes League One debut
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
End of the road Jose Enrique Premier League Liverpool