Eurosport - Tue, 06 Jan 16:37:00 2009
Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs has given a strong hint that he could retire when his contract expires in the summer.
The 35-year-old Welshman has not yet been offered a new deal and admitted that, after 19 years of loyal service to the reigning Premier League champions, he may be forced to hang up his boots.
"I will keep playing as long as I enjoy it, I am fit and the manager wants me," Giggs told The Sun.
"If one of those three things stops, I will consider retiring.
"It could be at the end of this season. Or it could be the next one. I am at the end of my contract in May, so we will see. At the minute, there hasn't been any contact with United.
"I am as fit as I have ever been. The only difference is recovering from games.
"Two days after a game, I am still tired. Before, I could play Saturday-Wednesday, Saturday-Wednesday no problem.
"Today, I would be a lot less efficient at doing things. Nowadays, I only play once a week, it's very good that way."
Giggs has won every possible trophy during his time at United, with 10 Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns representing the pinnacle of his achievements.
He admits that he would slip into retirement as a contented man, should he be forced to do so, with age having mellowed him and allowed him to appreciate how fortunate he has been.
Giggs added: "Today, victories and titles make me happier than when I was younger, because I know that they could be the last ones.
"The Champions League win last season made me a lot happier than in 1999, for instance.
"I am lot more confident than I was before. My relation to stress has changed over the years.
"When I was first in the first team, at 17 or 18, I felt no pressure at all. Nothing. It lasted for three to four years.
"Then things changed, injuries happened, I had poor games, and suddenly I started feeling the pressure. It weighed on my game.
"But since I turned 30, I don't think about anything any more, there's no pressure."
Comment 50 - 69 of 129
what sup with this *@#kin thing seems it dont like critism on english players like defoe
Ryan Giggs is one of Man U legends and deserves his place in Hall of Fame .He was a very exiciting player to watch when he was younger and still provides good support to Rooney and Ronaldo etc. Great player
best player the premier league has ever seen and the only united player i have ever respected or admired bein a liverpool supporter! pity a lot more players werent as professional as him
As an Arsenal fan, compliments related to Man Utd are rightly rare. However, I cannot hesitate in stating that Ryan Giggs has earned rightful respect from me for his honest and consistent contribution to the game. In my view he is one the premierships true legends, along with Henry of course, and I expect Gerrard will rise to the same mantle in time
stevie k you are a man with a head pregnant with silliness,giggs is a legend and a role model.so what if he is welsh?does it make you better than him?silly boy should have been put down at birth,i qoute.
Couldn't agree more with the other posts, Giggs is a true professional in every sense of the word and some of the other so called 'professionals' currently in the game would do well to step back and learn from his example both on and off the field. Great role model for kids and I too have enjoyed watching him play over the last 18 years or so ..... Apart from when he plays against Spurs !! Good luck Giggsy whatever you decide to do, the EPL will be worse off when you do finally hang up your boots.
Steven K you are one sick puppy! you need sorting you dickweed
Steven K- you make me ashamed to be an inhabitant of Liverpool. Ask ANY player/fan/etc. about Giggs, and you will only receive one type of comment, ie.excellent.
This guy is NOT Welsh, ,he elected to play for Wales when he was younger, as his family background enabled him to have a choice. He probably wished he had chosen England, but he was naive at the time.
If you want a true "Welshman", how about Michael Owen.
You are a moron.
giggs has always been one of my fave football players of my era.
he has been amazing to watch even at the age of 35. just wish he was only 30 and had another 5 years out of him at man utd.
shame liverpool, arsenal or chelsea cant say the same thing.
a model footballer who has kept his life private and kept himself to himself.
if ryan retires then i wish him all the best and hope that he is offered a coaches job at united.
steven k, how many people are you going to murder in Madrid? Then wallow in self pity and blame the world and his dog.
steven k.u r out of order,like to see the scousers keep a player so long,but trash gets emptied every week,and NO,i,m not a utd fan,but credit where its due,thats why he is an ambassador to the game,nuff said
yeah good player, just queer to the teeth
As a liverpool fan i see Man U as our biggest Rivals, However i have no shame in saying that ryan giggs is a legend. The man has been at the top of game since the mid ninetys and i only wish he was English as he would have been great in the national side.
His simplicity, humility, loyalty, dedication are exemplary for all players in EPL. He will be remembered not just as a Man United legend, but a legend for the British game.
This man is a footballing legend. Out of all the Man U scum, this guy deserves nothing but props, big ups and respect. As a footballer and a person, he is what is good about the sport and whats right about it too.
Well said thomas flynn your a gent
Meritorius service. I wish other managers especially Wenger learn to keep player who are of service. They are the bedrock and backbone of a team. They bring unity to the dressing room and give confidence to the younger one.
When Giggs retiers from playing the will be sadly mist. But he can take over from Sir Alex.
Giggsy a true legend and a superb player and a complete gentleman never again will we see another giggs running down the wings if he does decide to retire good luck to an awesome player for united and wales
just a one trick pony like ronaldo
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