Joan Gonzalez retires at 23: "Lecce always in my heart" | OneFootball

A difficult decision, matured after months of reflection and marked by a health issue that had already forced him to stop. Joan Gonzalez, former Lecce midfielder who grew up in Barcelona's youth system, has announced his retirement from playing football at just 23 years old.

Joan Gonzalez says goodbye to football at just 23: “Lecce will always have a place in my heart”

The Spaniard, who joined the yellow-reds in 2021, had stopped competitive activity just over a year ago when he was diagnosed with a heart condition. In a video posted on Instagram, Gonzalez read a farewell letter with an intense and personal tone.

Gonzalez's message: “Moments that will not return” “Today is one of the most difficult days, but also among the most significant of my life, both personally and professionally,” he stated. “After months of reflection, the time has come to say goodbye to football. I remember every detail of the matches: the smell of wet grass, the shouts from the stands, the sound of the ball, the nervousness before the kickoff. These are moments I feel deeply today, knowing they will not return.”

The player also reflected on the less visible sides of his career: the fatigue, the mistakes, the frustrations, but also the joys, the laughter, and the camaraderie with teammates. “I remember the locker rooms, the advice from the veterans, the looks of understanding after a victory, and especially the eyes of my family in the stands. Everything I thought was routine, I now know was special.”

Thanks to Lecce and the city In his farewell, Gonzalez expressed words full of gratitude to the Salento club: “Thank you to Lecce and the president for welcoming me into a wonderful club. Thanks to the coaches, teammates, staff, and fans: your support made me feel part of a family. Lecce captivated me from the first day: its streets, its light, its welcoming people. This city will forever be a part of me.”

The club's response Lecce, through a post on its official channels, wanted to pay tribute to the player: “Thank you, Joan, for always honoring our jersey. We won together, we had fun, and we also shared difficult moments. You turned a shattered dream into an opportunity for growth, showing intelligence, sensitivity, and culture. We lose a great footballer, but we will continue to cherish a true man who loves Lecce and Salento. Good life, Joan.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.