Former Liverpool Player Leaves Football in Half due to Health Problems

Liverpool's former defender, Martin Scrtel, has announced today that he is retired from professional football after a full 21-year career.

The Slovak defender, who was recently part of Spartak Trnava's team, spent eight and a half years at Liverpool, working with trainers known as Rafael Benitez, Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp.

In all, Scrtel managed to make 320 presentations for Liverpool and was one of the key players in the race towards the title in the 2008/09 and 2013/14 seasons, where he recorded seven goals in the latter.

After his departure from “Andanfield” in 2016, Scrtel joined Fenerbahce, where he later played for Atalantan and Istanbul Basaxehir before returning to his homeland in August last year.

The 37-year-old has played only nine times for Spartak Trnava and has decided to withdraw from football because of health problems.

After I came to Trnava, I fulfilled my dream. I think even at this age I can offer many things for the team, and I can play at the highest level. But the problem is health. I have problems with arteriosclerosis, they limit me not only to football but also to personal life. I can't remember one day I haven't had it in pain. I've been under the influence of drugs for months”, Scrtel said.

I had trouble walking with my son for 100 meters. Pain is too great. The biggest problems are running and dancing. These are the things you need in football. And as a result, I had to decide that the match against Dunyska will be the last. The last not only in Spartak, but in my entire career”, the Slovak defender added further.

Martin Scrtel in his football career has managed to make 617 performances in all competitions, recording 35 goals and 12 assistings on his name.