Arsenal legends Gilberto Silva and Dennis Bergkamp have both been speaking to the media to confirm various stuff.

The Brazilian has confirmed that he is retiring from football and I must say that, with my limited attention span, I had no clue that Gilberto was still playing.

It seems he wasn’t really, having not featured in a competitive game since the end of 2013 when he aggravated a knee injury that then required a number of surgeries to repair his meniscus.

“As of today, I’ve called time on my career as an athlete. It’s a difficult decision,” Gilberto said in a statement on Friday.

“Worldwide, we do not ask to be born. When we are born, we do not want to die. I’ve heard a phrase that says footballers dies twice. I disagree. I think the football player dies once, and makes a transition from the field to a new stage. For me, it’s a time of transition, not a first death.

“No matter how painful it may be – it’s a moment that could be seen as a sad, difficult time – but I see it with great joy. I’ve enjoyed 20 years of great joy. That’s what it has been for me and my family.

“I’ve spent the last two years on the sidelines preparing myself for a new stage of my life and I did not know when the time would come [to retire]. It is time to make the transition,” Gilberto continued.

“These last few weeks I’ve been in London visiting Arsenal, my old club. I realised a nifty way to continue in football in a different way, that is as an international consultant working with clubs and athletes. I will do a job using what I have learned.

“We can all contribute to football. We want a better future for the fans. A lot of people in the game are killing the passion for football, and they need to be punished.

“Children have to go to matches to cheer and support without being suspicious. I’ve never seen so much corruption in the game as there is today. That has to change and I will never fail to share my opinion.”

 

Meanwhile, Dennis Bergkamp, believed to be one of the favourites for the vacant Swansea City job has ruled himself out of the running.

Speaking to the Dutch publication, Voetbal, Bergkamp said “I currently have no ambition to become a head coach. There’s a job to do at Ajax and I see my role here in the next few years.”