Chilean legend and La Liga legend Claudio Bravo has announced his retirement after a trophy-laden career at the age of 41. Bravo made his debut for Colo Colo at the age of 20 and his career would last more than two decades, playing in Spain and England.
Bravo joined Real Sociedad in 2006 and became captain at the Reale Arena, leading the club back to La Liga and the Champions League before Barcelona came calling in 2014. He became part of the team that won the treble under Luis Enrique and stayed there for two seasons, although he never played in the Champions League.
“I’m going to give up professional football,” Bravo commented, according to Relevo. “It’s time to close a very important chapter of my life and start a new stage that will surely be just as successful.”
It was then that Pep Guardiola recruited him to Manchester City, where he stayed for four years despite losing his starting place after his first year. However, he won two Premier Leagues and eight trophies in total there before returning to Spain to play for Real Betis. At the Benito Villamarin, he shared duties with Rui Silva under fellow countryman Manuel Pellegrini, helping Betis return to regular European competition and winning a Copa del Rey.
Vitor Roque burst into tears during his last training session. Everything he had been through was building up and he just couldn’t hold it back any longer. @Mariio_RB
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) 27 August 2024
He also excelled on the international stage. Bravo won a Zamora Award in Barcelona and was named Chile’s Footballer of the Year twice, in 2009 and 2015, and Goalkeeper of the Year in 2015 and 2017. He was also captain when Chile won the historic Copa America double in 2015 and 2016.
