Ryan Babel recently announced his retirement from professional football
Ryan Babel says memories of his time at Liverpool are amongst his fondest as he addressed his retirement from football for the first time. The 37-year-old Dutchman – who turned out 146 times for the Reds between 2007 and 2011 – just this past weekend called it a day on a 20-year career that took him across Europe and the Middle East.
“I am filled with gratitude for this amazing journey I have had,” he said when announcing his retirement. “Football gave me everything I dreamed of and so much more. Thank you to all my teammates, coaches, fans and even the media who have been part of this incredible adventure. This game will forever be in my heart. Thank you,” he signed off on social media.
Although there have certainly been attackers to pass through Anfield both before and after Babel’s time that have made impacts that will stand taller in this club’s extensive history, he takes a special place in the hearts of supporters.
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The feeling is evidently reciprocated too, as in his latest chat with De Telegraaf he highlights the period at Liverpool as one of his best in a ‘rollercoaster’ playing career.
“The goal that I remember most is the first goal for Liverpool. On film and certainly in slow motion, it is almost poetry. It was at Anfield, a beautiful goal against Derby County,” he said, describing his maiden strike for the Reds. The club’s third-most-expensive signing ever at the time, the No.19 led the Rams to a 6-0 slaughter by collecting Alvaro Arbeloa’s pass on the edge of the area, cut onto his right foot whilst simultaneously sitting two opponents on the deck, then smashed into the Anfield Road goal.
Reminiscing about his Liverpool years, he added: “It is, besides Ajax and Besiktas, the club that I have the best memories of. They all mark a phase in my career. The very beautiful moments that I had there have always stayed with me.”
With the rest of his life ahead of him, Babel seems to have plenty on his plate away from football and says he is excited for all future opportunities that present themselves.
“I am busy with a lot of things. For example, I invest in real estate and I teach people about crypto,” he explained. “I am also open to all the things that come my way. At the moment I am enjoying the freedom that I have regained, because as a footballer you are completely lived. Now I can decide for myself how I fill my time. There is more peace. What exactly I am going to do will become clear in the coming years.”
