Javier Portillo retires from football at the age of 33The former Real Madrid striker hangs up his boots at Hércules after failing to score in 13 games so far this season.
Javier García Portillo has officially hung up his boots at the age of 33, after a disastrous season so far with Hércules, where he has been the subject of fans' anger due to his family ties with club owner Enrique Ortiz, who is the striker's father-in-law. That and a return of zero goals in 13 matches this season has not sat well with Hércules fans and the former Real Madrid youth team player has bowed to the inevitable. Portillo held a press conference at the Rico Pérez on Monday, where he was applauded by his teammates and received a signed shirt as a leaving memento.
"This decision has been thought out and I think it is the right time to do it," Portillo said. "I haven't adapted to the level and want to put my wages at the disposition of the club because I believe I can be of more use off the pitch than on it."
Portillo is expected to take up a role in the backroom staff. The striker had been at Hércules for six seasons after playing for Real Madrid, Fiorentina, Club Brugge, Las Palmas, Nástic and Osasuna.
After coming through the ranks at the Bernabéu, Portillo was handed his first team debut by Vicente del Bosque in 2002, going on to win the Champions League, La Liga, an Intercontinental Cup, the Spanish Supercup and the European Supercup with Real.
http://as.com/diarioas/2015/12/28/english/1451310660_882449.html
