Football will be a difficult gap to fill for Alonso

Xabi Alonso conceded he was a bundle of emotions as he brought down the curtain on a glittering playing career during Bayern Munich s 4-1 win over Freiburg.

The Bundesliga champions bode farewell to Alonso and captain Philipp Lahm at the end of yet another triumphant campaign.

Lahm is a celebrated one-club man at Bayern but Alonso has starred for Real Sociedad, Liverpool and Real Madrid, while also claiming Euro 2008, Euro 2012 and World Cup glory with Spain.

I m very satisfied to close my time as footballer, the cultured midfielder told reporters.

Inside there is a lot of emotion. There were moments [in the game] I was about to break.

The sensation I had was a mix of emotion, nostalgia, melancholy and sadness, but at the same time happiness, …