Leeds United hero Stuart Dallas yesterday announced his retirement from football and former teammate Raphinha is among the latest to send his well wishes.
Dallas made the decision to hang up his boots yesterday after almost two years on the sidelines since fracturing his femur in a 4-0 defeat to Manchester City back in April 2022.
The 32-year-old has undergone a number of surgeries and long rehabilitation progress to try get back on the pitch, but unfortunately the severity of the injury means he has been unable to do so.
Just last month, Dallas had still harnessed faint hopes of playing again at some point and so it is a decision he has clearly not taken lightly.
Messages have been pouring in from across the footballing world from both former teammates, and those he has not even played with, following his announcement yesterday afternoon.
Raphinha posts Instagram message to Dallas after Barcelona masterclass
Dallas posted a huge thank you message to both Leeds and Northern Ireland on his Instagram in which he detailed special gratitude for Liam Cooper, Marcelo Bielsa and Michael O’Neill.
The 32-year-old will retire as a Leeds legend having been such a key part of the promotion season under Bielsa, making a total of 266 appearances, scoring 28 goals.
Dallas also enjoyed an incredible debut campaign in the Premier League as Leeds secured a ninth-placed finish, and Raphinha was certainly someone who shone alongside him.
Raphinha departed Leeds for Barcelona almost two years ago now and Whites supporters will no doubt have enjoyed what they saw from him last night.
The Brazilian produced a masterclass in Paris for Barca in the Champions League quarter-finals, scoring twice in a 3-2 first leg victory.
In what was arguably his best night as a Barcelona player, Raphinha still found the time to send a message to Dallas after the game on Instagram.
He wrote: “All the best in your life my bro. Thank you magic.”
Dallas retirement a sad day for Leeds United
The news of Dallas’ retirement will have undoubtedly left many Leeds fans feeling sad as an injury such as this one is such an unfortunate way to have to end his career.
If his performances on the pitch are anything to go by, Dallas will have been giving absolutely everything behind-the-scenes in order to get himself back fully fit.
Unfortunately, it just was not to be, though, and from a personal perspective it is the right decision in order to avoid any complications in the future which could’ve come with getting back playing.
Dallas is likely to be in for an incredible reception against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday and hopefully Leeds are able to get promotion over the line so he can properly celebrate.
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