Normally, a thirty plus player is pronounced as ‘former’ player but Ryan Giggs is not among those kinds of players coz he is the one who has just signed another deal with his long playing club Manchester United at an age of 39 years. According to his new deal, he will be with them for one more year, i.e., until June 2014. Notably, coming season would be his 23rd season playing for the Ferguson club; he started playing for them back in 1991 and has made a record 931 league appearances with United’s A-team. He also scored 168 goals during his long running tenure. Besides leagues, he has also played significant number of matches for his national team, including leading English soccer team during London Olympics. He has contributed in more than twenty title wins for his clubs, including 12 premium league titles, four FA cups along with two Championship Leagues trophies and three league cups. Moreover, he has been good on the field as well coz he scored in each of his last played 23 league seasons including 21 premium league seasons. On signing this deal, Giggs said, “I am feeling good, enjoying my football more than ever and, most importantly, I feel I am making a contribution to the team. This is an exciting team to be part of, with great team spirit, and we are again pushing for trophies as we head towards the business end of the season.”
Over the years, his behavior on and off the field has been exemplary where he earned more respect than goals he fired. Perhaps, irrespective of his score tally, he is one of the finest soccer players of our times. Praising his long journey, United Manager Alex Ferguson said, “Ryan is an example to us all, the way in which he has, and continues to, look after himself. What can I say about Ryan that hasn’t already been said? He is a marvellous player and an exceptional human being.
“He has fantastic energy for the game and it is wonderful to see. Ryan seems to reach a new milestone every week, and to think that he now has 23 unbroken years of league goals behind him is truly amazing in the modern-day game. I don’t think it will ever be achieved again by anyone. His form this year shows his ability and his enjoyment of the game are as strong as ever and I am absolutely delighted that he has signed a new contract.”