Fabregas leaving Monaco but not retiring
Cesc Fabregas has confirmed he will leave Monaco when his contract expires at the end of the season, but the midfielder has no intentions to retire just yet.
Former Arsenal and Barcelona star Fabregas has been hampered by injuries during the 2021-2022 season, in which Monaco is three points behind second-placed Marseille with two games to play.
The Spain international signed on a free transfer in January 2019, and racked up over 800 Ligue 1 minutes a season in his first three campaigns at Monaco.
However, he has appeared just twice in the league this term for his measly 36 minutes and Fabregas has revealed this season will be his last with Monaco.
"It's sure that it's over between Monaco and me," Fabregas told French outlet So Foot. "My contract expires next June, and I'm looking for a fresh start. My head needs a fresh start elsewhere.
"It's the worst year not only in my career, but also in my life, because when I'm not happy in football, I'm not happy in my life. I suffered a lot this year, and it was hard mentally. You just have to stay strong.
"But sometimes things happen for a reason. I'm grateful that it happened at 35 rather than 25 when I was at the height of my career.
"So if you look at it that way – 19 years, almost 900 games, winning almost everything – it could have been worse."
Aged 35, FIFA World Cup winner and two-time European championship victor Fabregas may be expected to move into a coaching role to utilise his experience, but he insists his preference is to continue playing.
"To be honest, I've already had two or three phone calls in the past two weeks from some of my former coaches to find out what I wanted to do, to see if I wanted to join them this summer as a coach," he added.
"But this year has been so bad that I can't finish on that. Not after building this career. I want to keep playing.
"I'm grateful for the career I've had, but I don't feel like it's over. I just want to enjoy my football and continue to be competitive at some level."
As for the identity of Fabregas's next club, he has no preference as long as he can rediscover his enjoyment of football.
"I'm open to anything, I just want to have fun," he said when asked about potential clubs, leagues or countries. "After this year, I just want to play and enjoy my football.
"The place doesn't really matter, it's more my head that counts. When I'm fit I feel really good, when I'm training with my team-mates I don't feel any different when it comes to passion for the game.
"It's just about finding the right project and doing it. I will look for a new project and see where the future takes me."
