Following the retirement of former Liverpool and Manchester United star Michel Owen yesterday, Ireland captain Robbie Keane has made it clear that he has no such plans to retire, and wants to play on for a few more years yet.
Keane currently plays for MLS side LA Galaxy and has a contract there until next year and Keane admits that there is no sense walking away when you still love playing.
“I want to play as long as I can. I look today and see someone like Michael Owen retiring from football, and the two of us came through at the same time,” Keane is quoted as saying in the Irish Sun.
“I dread the day I have to finish playing because this is my life, and what I love doing.
“As soon as I get the feeling where I don’t want to do it anymore I’ll quit but I can’t see that happening for a very long time.”
Keane left the Premier league to join Galaxy in 2011, where England legend David Beckham played, but returned in January to Aston Villa on loan, like many of the MLS players do in the off season to keep their fitness up for International duty.
It was thought that the former Spurs star would return again on loan this season but he took a break from the game to work on his fitness.
“Last yeas I felt the benefits of carrying on but all I know is that I feel good at the moment and sharp,” Keane explained.
“The Achilles injury is just there and has not gone away and it’s being managed very well by the club.
“Towards the end of last season I could hardly run so it was really affecting me. It’s nowhere near as bad as it was.
“Those six weeks did me the world of good. Had I carried on playing, I probably would have snapped it.”
