Fernando announces retirement as André Villas-Boas sends message | OneFootball

Fernando has announced his retirement in a video, with FC Porto president André Villas-Boas paying tribute to the midfielder known as 'polvo'. According to O Jogo, Villas-Boas thanked him and said the player's effort on the pitch had helped him, when he was a coach, win many titles.

Fernando said he devoted his life to a dream at 15. He added that while his boots fall silent now, he smiles because he lived that dream and touched the impossible.

He reflected that football taught him discipline, courage, sacrifice, joy, pain and how to begin again. He said he looks back with gratitude.

The midfielder said he left pieces of himself everywhere he played, and that the price of the dream was paid with sweat, sacrifice and faith.

He stressed he is not saying goodbye to football, only closing a chapter. The story continues, he said, and a new game now begins, before thanking the sport for shaping who he is.

Source: O Jogo