Tribal Football

Milner to make tough retirement decision: Do you go until you can't physically go anymore?

Milner to make tough retirement decision: Do you go until you can't physically go anymore?
Milner to make tough retirement decision: Do you go until you can't physically go anymore?Action Images via Reuters

Premier League legend James Milner is to make a huge call on his retirement at the end of the season.

Last month, Milner broke the appearance record in the Premier League in Brighton's win at Brentford as he played his 654th Premier League match, beating the record set by Gareth Barry. 

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The former Leeds, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Manchester City star is now 40 years old and after beating the long-standing record will be eyeing retirement once the season concludes. 

Speaking to GOAL, he revealed he is unsure when to put his foot down and call an end to such an iconic career. 

“I think it's a really tough one. I think I'm undecided as well. I think things change very quickly in football anyway, especially when you get to my age and how things have changed in a year from where I was not being able to lift my foot to now I'm back playing in the Premier League and even a few months ago I wasn't getting too many minutes. 

 “Physically, I still feel good. Mentally, I feel good to keep going. But what do you do? Do you go until you can't physically go anymore? Do you go until you lose the love for it? Or do you stop before that point comes? No one knows when it comes, I suppose.  

“So I think it's a really tricky one and one that you have to take day by day and think about when options come and at the end of the season and see where we're at. But at this moment in time, physically, I'm very well looked after at the club in terms of the physios knowing exactly how much you need to do.

"I feel like I'm still contributing on the pitch and helping Brighton and that's always the most important thing to me.” 

Milner agreed a one-year extension last June and head coach Fabian Hurzeler has said he wants him to stay next season as he continues to contribute to the Seagulls both on and off the pitch due his vast experience. 

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