Cesar Azpilicueta Reflects on Career, Education and Retirement
· Sports · BBC Sport
Former Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has retired from professional football after spending his final season at Sevilla. Reflecting on his career, Azpilicueta revealed how pursuing academic qualifications, including a business management MBA and a diploma in global football sport directorship, helped him cope with the pressures of elite sport. He recalled studying for his MBA before Chelsea's 2021 Champions League final victory against Manchester City to distract himself from matchday stress. At age 37, he holds multiple business and sports leadership qualifications from institutions such as Harvard and the Berlin School of Business and Innovation. Azpilicueta stated that he currently lacks the energy required to commit to another full season of professional football and intends to focus on family and playing golf.
Why it matters
The transition highlights the physical and mental demands placed on elite professional footballers over a two-decade career, while demonstrating how higher education can help players prepare for life after sports.
Read the original report — BBC Sport
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.