Chelsea legend, Frank Lampard has announced his retirement from professional football, bringing to an end a 21-year career. The 38 year- old made 607 apps, 177 goals, 102 assists. He is one of three players to record both 100+ goals & 100+ assists in PL history. Announcing the decision on his official Instagram page, the English footballer wrote,
After 21 incredible years, I have decided that now is the right time to finish my career as a professional footballer. Whilst I have received a number of exciting offers to continue playing at home and abroad, at 38 I feel now is the time to begin the next chapter in my life. I’m immensely proud of the trophies I’ve won, of representing my country over 100 times and of scoring more than 300 career goals.
I have many people to thank. I thank my parents for instilling in me the values of hard work, dedication and professionalism, values which I have carried with me in everything that I do. I am forever grateful for the support of my family, my wife Christine and my two daughters Luna and Isla. What you have given me off the pitch has always been my strength on it. I love you all very much. Also, my friends and my own team that have always been there for me. I would like to thank the amazing team-mates, coaches, managers and backroom staff that I was privileged to work with. I’d also like to pay tribute to the clubs that I have represented. Firstly, West Ham United who gave me my debut in 1996. Thanks to the people there that believed in me at that young age. More recently Manchester City and NYCFC. I greatly enjoyed my last playing years at these two clubs and really appreciate the support I received from City Football Group and both clubs’ fans.
Of course, the largest part of my heart belongs to Chelsea, a club which has given me so many great memories. I will never forget the opportunity they gave me and the success that we managed to achieve together. It is impossible to give thanks individually to all the people that helped and supported me in my 13 years playing there. All I can say is from the day I signed until now and going forward, I’m eternally grateful for everything and to everyone. Chelsea fans gave myself and my teammates such incredible support. Their passion and hunger drove me on personally to give my best year after year. I couldn’t have done it without them.
Looking forward, I’m grateful to the FA for the opportunity to study for my coaching qualifications and I look forward to pursuing the off-field opportunities that this decision opens.
Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are leaving the MLS.
Premier League return?
Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are leaving the MLS.
Lampard who joined NYCFC from Manchester City in 2015 and netted 15 goals in 31 appearances made the confirmation on his instagram account.
“As my time at NYCFC comes to an end I would like to thank so many people for the kindness and support that they have shown me over the last two years,” Lampard wrote in a statement on his instagram account. My teammates have been a pleasure to play alongside. The amazing fans have given me incredible support and backing. All the people that work behind the scenes at NYCFC have made it so easy for me to work and settle here. I have very much enjoyed my time, and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to play for such a great club and in such an incredible city. I leave with many great memories as I embark on the next stage of my career and I’ll be making an announcement very soon.” He wrote
Gerrard’s spell might also be over at the US club. The Liverpool legend who signed an 18-month deal with the MLS side in January 2015 gave a hint on his instagram page. He captioned a picture on his instagram account: “Special place incredible view I will miss you LA.”
Both Lampard and Gerrard scored 20 goals in 67 games between them.
Photos: Frank Lampard weds in London
Chelsea legend, Frank Lampard and Christine Bleakley exchanged vows
today after a four-year engagement. The ceremony took place at the St Paul’s Church in KnightsBridge, London. Their reception took place
celebrate their wedding with a reception at The Arts Club, Mayfair.
Lampard who plays football for New York City FC has two daughters from a previous relationship.
Something has to change at Chelsea – Lampard
Chelsea legend, Frank Lamport believes sacking Jose Mourinho is not the solution to the club’s problems. Speaking as a pundit on Sky Sports, the Blues all-time record goalscorer affirmed that something must change at the club.
“It has to change right now. Whether it’s attitude or performance or something else, it has to change. He’s probably looking at it very closely. Obviously we’ve been here before with Chelsea when managers change midway through the season.
“I don’t know how many times you can do that. We had some good results from doing it before but we had a different set of players at that point. But I have to say what they set out to do when Jose Mourinho came back was to have a long-term plan. What can they gain by getting rid of him now?
They are probably not going to make the top four anyway or the top six. They’re not going to get relegated I think if we are honest so I’m sure there’s a view from Roman Abramovich to say, ‘Hang on, let’s see what happens at the end of the season’.
“Why make a rash change that can’t really affect the year that much and then see where we are at the end of the year.”
The Blues suffered their 9th loss of the season few days back and are one point outside the relegation zone.
Photos: Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard and David Villa honoured by Ride of Fame
New York City FC players; Andrea Pirlo, Frank
Lampard and David Villa have had buses dedicated to them in New York courtesy
of Ride of Fame. The teammates were inducted on top of double-decker buses at a
ceremony yesterday September 22, 2015 on West Side Highway. The Ride of Fame
vehicles will have their names and pictures wrapped around the front and seats
of buses.
Lampard and David Villa have had buses dedicated to them in New York courtesy
of Ride of Fame. The teammates were inducted on top of double-decker buses at a
ceremony yesterday September 22, 2015 on West Side Highway. The Ride of Fame
vehicles will have their names and pictures wrapped around the front and seats
of buses.
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“Special
day! Honoured for this opportunity,” Pirlo wrote on twitter.
“Special
day! Honoured for this opportunity,” Pirlo wrote on twitter.
The Ride of Fame is a series of mobile monuments in New York City honoring
public figures for being exemplary “New Yorkers” and representing the city in a
positive light over the course of their lives. Honorees write a special
personal message on these seats to share the moment with all the visitors of
New York City
public figures for being exemplary “New Yorkers” and representing the city in a
positive light over the course of their lives. Honorees write a special
personal message on these seats to share the moment with all the visitors of
New York City
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Mourinho, C. Ronaldo, Lampard, Smalling make Guinness Book Of Records
Chelsea FC manager, Jośe Mourinho, England midfielder, Frank Lampard, Real Madrid talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United defender, Smalling have become some of the latest recipients of the Guinness World Records certificates.
The 52 year-old Portuguese ‘s record include;
- The most Points in a Premier League season (95)
- Most Champions League’s won at different clubs (two)
- Youngest manager to reach 100 Champions League games (49 years 12 days)
- Most games unbeaten at home in the Premier League (77).
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Frank Lampard was presented with the certificate for the most Premier League teams scored against (39). He achieved this feat after scoring against former club Chelsea.
Manchester United defender Smalling also got a spot after scoring
- The fastest goal in the Premier League by a substitute from kick-off (5 mins, 9 seconds). That was against Burnley last season.
- The most goals in the Premier League scored by a substitute in the first half. Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo was not left out.
Soccer super star, Cristiano Ronaldo bagged records for- Scoring the most hat tricks(27) in La Liga and overtaking club legend Alfredo Di Stefano, he also got his name included in the 2016 edition of the guiness book of world records.
- The most followed athlete and person on both Facebook (over 100 million likes) and Twitter (over 27m followers).
- Most La Liga hat-tricks (27)
Injury delays Lampard's New York City Fc debut
Frank Lampard has been ruled out of the game that was meant to be his debut for new club, New York City Fc. The midfielder who spent the remainder of the 2014-15 league campaign on loan at Manchester City suffered a calf strain in training and will miss Sunday’s game against Torino Fc at Yankee Stadium.
“I’m hugely disappointed to be missing out on Sunday’s game, which I have been really looking forward to,”
Lampard told the club’s official website.
“I’ve been feeling great in training and have loved working with the squad. Unfortunately I sustained a small strain to my calf during a session.
“Whilst I’ve been taking it day by day since then and have been involved in light training, I’ve just been advised by the medical team that it needs a few days’ rest for it to heal fully.
“As I say, it’s personally very disappointing for me but these things happen in football. The good news is that I should be back in full training next week. While I was desperate to play a role on Sunday, I have to take the advice of our medical team to let it heal and not risk further injury so I can get back on the pitch and play a full role as soon as possible.”
Juan Mata pays tribute to Gerrard, Drogba , Lampard,others in new blog post
Manchester United player and blogger, Juan Mata has paid tribute to Premier League legends, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, some of whom bade farewell to their clubs after their gamed. He titled his blog post, ‘It’s over now… but we’ll be back stronger!’. Read below.
Hi everyone,
This is my last blog’s entry of the season and I say goodbye until the next one. I hope you have enjoyed this weekly encounter as much as I have. You know, in the good times… and in the bad ones too.
This is the end of a season with mixed feelings. In some stages we played very good football, being very competitive especially against our main rivals, and we enjoyed some important wins; on the other hand, there were periods when we were not consistent enough to fight for the title, or suffered some painful defeats.
In general terms, we reached the main goal of the club this season: to have the chance to play the Champions League (we still have to earn it in the play-off round), but this team has to fight for trophies, and we will put all our efforts to that after summer. That’s what you deserve.
We finished the season with a draw at Hull that also meant the local team was relegated. It’s not nice to experience something like that on-site, unfortunately this is not the first time I see it. As I said, we approached this game in the most professional way, trying to win. At the end, our draw, plus Newcastle’s victory, leave Hull in the relegation zone.
My support to their fans, we hope to see you back in the Premier League soon. By the way, Jonás goal for Newcastle tells a lot about life and the way to overcome the real problems.
In our game, my friend Víctor Valdés appeared in United’s starting XI for the first time. It was a great experience for him and also a reward to his good job at the training ground every week. On top of that, he completed a great game with a few big saves.
From a personal point of view, according to the stats I have played 2,420 minutes, scoring 10 goals and giving 4 assists. They are good numbers but, as always, I’ll try to get better year after year ;-). I hope to keep contributing goals and assists to achieve big things with the team.
Being the last week of the Premier League, we have seen a few farewells and some of them very significant. Like Steven Gerrard’s, for instance. I mentioned him a week ago for his relevance and contribution to the history of football.
The same thing can be said, of course, about Frank Lampard, one of the best team-mates I have ever had and someone I have learnt a lot from. A true legend in both English and world football. I wish him all the best in his new stage in the United States and I thank him for his treatment to me at all times. And I don’t forget another great player and former team-mate, Didier Drogba, one of the best strikers the Premier League has ever seen and a phenomenal guy in every sense.
With so many legends leaving, a good part of football’s history in England is leaving too.
Since we played on Sunday, I had time on Saturday to watch the games in la Liga, where the last minutes were absolutely thrilling. All of us who have played there followed the end of the championship with a lot of interest.
At the Camp Nou, Xavi, a fantastic player, said goodbye to la Liga in Spain. He still has to play the Cup final at the same stadium against Athletic, and that will be Iraola’s farewell too. The last game brought joy to Valencia and Granada.
I’m happy especially for my friends from Valencia –you guys deserve to be in the Champions League always– and for Paco Alcácer in particular, a gem of their football academy, a great striker and a great guy.
On the other hand, I feel sorry for Eibar’s relegation, a modest club but also an exemplary one. I hope they can enjoy good times soon.
And, of course, I hope Real Oviedo can certify their promotion to the Second Division against Cádiz the next weekend, after a draw in the first leg.
The atmosphere in the Carlos Tartiere was simply amazing. The stadium was absolutely full of fans committed to make the dream come true. I hope we can make it this year.
I’m starting to say goodbye… Now it’s time to switch off, to rest and get our strength back with a view to the exciting next season. I’ll see you soon in the tour of the United States. We had a fantastic experience there last summer and we hope to repeat in a few months.
Thank you very much for your support in each and every game, you make this sport big and make us feel very proud. We are looking forward to achieve big things all together. Have a great summer!
Hugs!
Juan
"It will be strange to play against Lampard- Mikel Obi.
Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel has said that it will be strange to play against former teammate, Frank Lampard when the two sides meet.
The Blue Legend who moved from Stamford Bridge to Manchester City during the summer will face teammates again on January 31.
Recall that Lampard equalized for his new team during the first leg of the match.
”The fans should definitely cheer Frank on. He is a club legend and I think that the fans will welcome him. It will be strange to play against him. During the game there is no friendship – but there will be after.” Mikel said
Ugandan footballer dies after Frank Lampard equalised against Chelsea on saturday.
He was a passionate Chelsea fan who would do anything for his club asides gambling. He was at a local makeshift video hall in Bombo Town, Uganda enjoying every bit of the English Premier league game between Manchester City and Chelsea last weekend until the moment Frank Lampard equalized. Fahad Musana fainted and succumbed to death before he got to the nearby hospital. The 24 year-old was a footballer who played as a central defender in his club side, Simba.
Musana’s coach Fred Kajoba said he’s yet to recover from the shock as he trained with the team on Sunday morning. “We trained with him at Bombo and there was no problem with him whatsoever, I’m still in shock.” He added.
Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) also released a statement on their website.
“FUFA is in shock after receiving news about the sudden death of Simba FC player Musana Fahad in Bombo this evening. The body is currently at the Bombo Barracks Hospital. Burial arrangements will be communicated later.”
Credit: ThisDay