Carragher leads the universally adoring tributes to Xabi Alonso as he announces his retirement

The former Liverpool hero will be hanging up his boots.

Certain players have the ability to transcend the rivalry, tribalism and biased nature that comes with being a football fan, Xabi Alonso is one of them. In a glittering career that has seen him win the World Cup, two European Championships, two Champions Leagues, two Bundesliga titles, La Liga and domestic cups in Germany, Spain and England, along with countless other trophies, the gifted midfielder has decided to retire. Aside from his dazzling passing range and ability to score an absolute peach from long range, Alonso just oozed class, both on and off the field. We're struggling to think of another footballer that's happy to express their love of The Big Lebowski or indie darlings Pavement. https://twitter.com/XabiAlonso/status/312857837372047360 https://twitter.com/XabiAlonso/status/231432853932617729 While the Spanish midfielder still has a busy season ahead with Bayern Munich, plenty of football fans have shared some of their favourite memories about a midfielder that will undoubtedly be remembered as one of finest players of his generation. Here's what some of his former teammates have said about Alonso. https://twitter.com/Carra23/status/839801573333159938 https://twitter.com/PReina25/status/839793526074392576 https://twitter.com/LFC/status/839784063619723264 https://twitter.com/JARiiseOfficial/status/839784020686798848 https://twitter.com/LuchoGarcia14/status/839780298082693120 https://twitter.com/NeilMellor33/status/839783685360594945 https://twitter.com/LFC/status/839807717569089537 https://twitter.com/aarbeloa17/status/839780487400931328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/PakoAyestaran/status/839810795840077825 It's not just people associated with Liverpool, Bayern, Real Madrid or Sociedad that are going to miss him, it appears that the general footballing public know a class act when they see one. https://twitter.com/TonyBarrett/status/839785235780894721 https://twitter.com/OliverKayTimes/status/839783321693474816 https://twitter.com/endahiggins88/status/839787004204306432 https://twitter.com/_lfcleanne/status/839801038920110081