Tottenham cult hero RETIRES from football at the age of 34 after going a year without a club… with the midfielder having also featured for QPR and West Brom
- The player featured at White Hart Lane for four years between 2010 and 2014
- The former Brazil international won 17 caps for his country during his career
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off
Whilst this player pulled on jerseys of myriad different colours during his 15-year playing career, the white and navy blue of Tottenham Hotspur remained closest to his heart.
The Brazilian was a regular starter for the side during his four years at White Hart Lane, and featured in a number of star-studded clashes that helped establish the midfielder as a cult hero at the ground.
So strong is his connection to the side, the player has even been spotted in the away end, mixing and mingling with fans, at later outings in Europe.
As well as Tottenham, this player also featured for Queens Park Rangers and West Bromwich Albion on English soil, after his 2010 move from Internacional in his native Brazil.
But who is the Spurs icon hanging up his boots after a storied playing career?
A Spurs cult hero retired from professional football on Monday after a 15-year career
The former defensive midfielder remains a Spurs fan at heart, and even travelled to watch the north London side face AC Milan earlier this year
The retiring player is none other than Sandro, who made 106 appearances for the Lilywhites between 2010 and 2014, and has since cemented his status as a living legend for the club by his continued support for the north London outfit.
The 34-year-old even went as far as joining Spurs fans supporting Antonio Conte’s side during their Champions League round of 16 tie with AC Milan at the San Siro.
Sandro was spotted by eagle-eyed fans in the stands and was captured in a video posted on social media delighting supporters by calling long-term crosstown rivals Arsenal ‘s***’.
The player had previously featured in the same tie 12 years earlier, which saw the side swipe victory in Milan from the Milanese to go 1-0 up on aggregate.
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The 34-year-old (left, in 2011) previously featured in the first iteration of the clash against Milan, when Spurs sneaked a win at the San Siro
Sandro signed with Queens Park Rangers (right, in 2014) before a loan spell at West Brom
Sandro now works as a pundit and was seen covering Brighton’s clash with Newcastle
The second leg of their clash saw the home side cling on to the tie in a cagey 0-0 draw, in a match that failed to live up to the explosive first, which had seen Milan’s Gennaro Gattuso lash out at coach Joe Jordan.
Sandro’s spell at White Hart Lane was stymied by a knee injury, and despite winning a permanent place in supporters’ hearts, he opted for a 2014 move to Queens Park Rangers.
After leaving England in 2017 upon signing for Turkish Super Lig side Antalyaspor, Sandro extended his career at clubs including Serie A sides Genoa and Udinese, and Brazilian Serie B side Goias.
Sandro shared the announcement in a video posted to Instagram, filmed outside the Ze Vasco academy’s ground, where he began his career as a child before moving to Internacional to continue his development.
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