Joan González, the Spanish midfielder who came up through Barcelona’s academy and has been with Lecce since 2022, has called time on his career at just 23. A congenital condition, found during medical tests, forced the decision. It cuts short a career that wasn’t long in years but still managed to leave its mark — 66 games, two goals, four assists for the Italian side.
The announcement came directly from González in an open letter he posted on social media. He’d been out since the start of the 2024/25 season, undergoing a full round of medical exams. In the end, he didn’t pass the tests needed to get him back on the pitch.
Memories and gratitude
In his post, Joan looked back on what it meant to live the life of a professional player and took time to thank everyone who had been part of that journey. “Today is one of the hardest, yet also one of the most meaningful days of my life, both personally and professionally. After months of reflection and moments of uncertainty, the time has come to announce that I’m ending my career as a soccer player,” he wrote.
He didn’t just talk about the big moments, he painted the picture. “I remember match days like they were yesterday, the feel of the wet grass, the roar from the stands, the sharp sound of the ball striking my boot, the nerves before the first whistle... Moments I now feel deeply because I know they won’t come back.” And he didn’t shy away from the less glamorous side either: “There were days of exhaustion, mistakes, being angry at myself. But there were also laughs, goals, hugs, and knowing looks from my teammates after a good game.”
The human side that remains
Walking away from the game because of health is a very different kind of goodbye. There’s no chance for one last appearance, no farewell goal, no wave to the crowd as you step off the pitch. It just stops. The emptiness hits right away. And with Joan González, there’s that lingering thought that fans can’t shake — what if? What if he’d had more time? What if he’d been able to grow into his full potential? Those answers aren’t coming.
His story isn’t unique in soccer, but that doesn’t make it any less personal. Every case like this lands differently, and González’s exit is no exception.