Xabi Alonso celebrates his retirement from football

As the Bundesliga season 2016/2017 came to a close, so too did the professional career of Xabi Alonso, a player that has worn with distinction the colours of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Real Sociedad.

Alonso's Madrid party: for football's Mr Nice Guy

The Spanish midfielder used social media to charm us with his plans to retire and then to finally say goodbye. This goodbye was immediately followed by messages of admiration and fondness. And now it is the same networks that give us a glimpse into the party he threw on Saturday at the Hotel NH Collection Madrid Suecia. Ex-teammates from Liverpool and Real Madrid were in attendance among many others.

Liverpool and Madrid come together

Reds that came to celebrate from Alonso's time at Anfield - a period that saw him lift the Champions League in that incredible final in Istanbul - included Jamie Carragher and Didi Hamann as well as coach, Pako Ayestarán.

Those from Los Blancos included Raúl Albiol and Callejón as well as close friend Álvaro Arbeloa who also enjoyed time at both Liverpool and Madrid.