Roque Santa Cruz Announces His Retirement

Paraguayan player Roque Santa Cruz, 39, announced on Monday that he will play his last season as a footballer in 2021. He will bid farewell from the ranks of Olimpia, where he began his career and has played since 2016, after stints with teams in Spain, Germany, and Mexico.

Santa Cruz, the top scorer in the current Clausura tournament with seven goals, is the most prominent player in recent seasons in the Paraguayan first division. He has also won four consecutive league titles with Olimpia in the Apertura and Clausura tournaments of 2018 and 2019.

"I commit to continue fighting for important things because we are Olimpia. I reaffirm my love for this shirt, and in 2021, on my last journey, we will be together again," said Santa Cruz while announcing his continuity with the Paraguayan "King of Cups."

In a video on Olimpia's social media, 'Roquegol', as he is also known, highlighted the emotions he felt defending the colors of Olimpia, the Paraguayan club with the most international titles, and the support of the fans.

In that sense, he expressed his desire for the fans to return to the Manuel Ferreira, the club's stadium, after a season without spectators due to the pandemic.

"I want to see the Manuel Ferreira full again, I want to hear everyone's support, I want to win another championship," he emphasized.

The former international player said that "leading the team and achieving a four-peat was a dream come true" and added that during that time he experienced "very beautiful and also difficult moments" with his teammates.

Santa Cruz scored his seventh goal of the Clausura last Saturday against River Plate, a match in which Olimpia won 3-1 and was the second as a coach for Argentine Néstor Gorosito.

Gorosito replaced his compatriot Daniel Garnero, under whose leadership Olimpia won four consecutive titles.

Santa Cruz returned to Olimpia in June 2016 after terminating his contract with Mexican team Cruz Azul.

With Olimpia, where he was formed, Santa Cruz won the championships of 1998 and 1999, and in that last year, he was named the best player of the season in Paraguay.

It was also the year he joined Bayern Munich, marking the beginning of his journey with European teams like Blackburn Rovers and Manchester, as well as Spanish teams Betis and Málaga. EFE

In 2021, I want to be back in a full Para Uno stadium and hear the support of all of you. Join me on my last journey on the Express. Link to tweet

Another year of goals.
Another year of celebrations.
Another year of joys.
Another year of challenges.
Your last journey on the Express will be unforgettable, Captain! #Roque2021 2️⃣4️⃣#SomosOlimpia ⚪️⚫️⚪️ Link to tweet