Socceroos legend Harry Kewell has today called time on his career illustrious career, announcing his retirement from professional football at the end of the Hyundai A-League 2013-14 season.
The 35-year-old, who is also ruled out for the next two weeks with an abdominal strain, will be farewelled in Melbourne Heart’s final game of the season against Western Sydney Wanderers at AAMI Park on April 12.
Kewell is pleased to be finishing up against a club from his hometown, while also leaving Heart on a good note.
“Its been a pleasure to play and finish my career at Heart and I’m proud to finish [my career] as a captain,” Kewell said.
“Its been on my mind for a long time.
“Obviously when I did leave Victory I had that year out and I didn’t want it to end like that and so Heart gave me a wonderful opportunity to come out here.
“I wasn’t thinking at that time that I was going to retire but they way everything panned out I felt it was the right time.”
Plagued by injuries throughout his whole career, Kewell took pride in the fact that he could exit from the game on his own terms, while he is still capable of playing week-in-week-out.
“The body is good,” he said
“Its a privilege that I can sit here today knowing that I’ve played an 18 years span of football and be able to walk out not holding my back or my knees or my ankles, be able to walk out and still push my body if I want to train.”
Kewell burst onto the scene as a 17 year old at Leeds United, and quickly asserted himself as the Golden Boy of Australian Football, before signing for European Giants Liverpool as one of the hottest prospects in international football.
“It was a dream come true for me,” Kewell said on his move to Liverpool.
He enjoyed a successful five year spell at Anfield, claiming the 2005 Champions League and 2006 FA CUP to name a few honours, however failed to reach his full potential as he was hampered by a series of injuries.
The veteran admitted that he sometimes pondered what could have been if it weren’t for injury problems striking him down at his prime.
“I do sit there with my wife and my close friends and wonder, what if? Yes, I feel like I can play the game, I understand the game,” he said.
“I wonder if I didn’t have those injuries, what could have been? But I believe the path was set out for me and I think it’s made me a better person.
“I’ve been at the highest level in football but I’ve also been at lowest level. I understand where the good and the bad does come from and I think it’s made me a better person all round.”
Having transferred to Galatasaray in 2008, Kewell enjoyed three successful and relatively injury free seasons before returning to Australia with Melbourne Victory in 2012.
However he admits a swell of media interest initially made life tough in Australia, one of many factors in him failing to live up the expected hype.
After one season in Melbourne, the veteran controversially returned to England for family reasons, before spending a short three game spell with Qatari side Al-Gharafa.
Desperate for game time in a final attempt to earn a place in Australia’s 2014 World cup squad, Kewell signed for Melbourne Heart prior to the 2013-14 season, earning only a minimum wage.
He was handed the club captaincy just a few weeks into his time at the club but the 35-year-old has suffered an injury-marred season, ruling out any chance of World Cup selection.
“For the World Cup I can sit back and enjoy it,” he said.
“There’s obviously going to be questions asked about the World Cup but I haven’t been part of the Australian squad for a while.
“For me it was time to step aside and let young players stand up.
“I always said, it was a privilege and honour to play for your country and you’ve got to be playing at the highest level to do that.”
On the international stage, Kewell debuted for the Socceroos at 17 years old and would go on two earn 56 caps, while competing in two FIFA World Cups.
Reflecting on his career, he dubbed his goal against Croatia in the 2006 World Cup as a one his most desirable memories.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s one that puts your country through or one that saves you from relegation or one that wins you the title, every goal you score is special,” he said.
“But in saying that, the one against Croatia was special.
“To be able to score a goal in a World Cup in the biggest level in football was fantastic.”
Kewell’s international and club achievements:
· Winner: 2005 UEFA Champions League with Liverpool FC
· Winner: 2006 FA Cup with Liverpool FC
· Winner: 2006 UEFA Super Cup with Liverpool FC
· Runner-Up: 2007 UEFA Champions League with Liverpool FC
· 60 International Matches for Australia, including 19 goals
· Youngest ever debutante for the Socceroos in 1996 at 17 years, 7 months;
· Appearances at the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup
· 2000 PFA Premiership Young Player of the Year & PFA Team of the Year
· EPL debut for Leeds United in 1996 as a 17 year old
· Three-time Oceania Footballer of the Year
· Member of the Executive of the PFA from 2002 to 2008
· PFA Harry Kewell Medal: Awarded to Australia’s Young Player of the Year