Twitter Reacts to Pablo Aimar's Retirement

With the news that Argentinian playmaker Pablo Aimar has announced his retirement from football after an injury-plagued spell with River Plate, fans are paying tribute to the popular former Valencia and Benfica man.

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Ohhh Pablo Aimar has retired. Such a majestic footballer, absolute wizard 😢 pic.twitter.com/gnv6V71y0E

— Kingfunkel (@Kingfunkel) July 15, 2015"

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Pablo Aimar is definitely someone I admired

— Fernando Sucre (@JesseLoco_) July 15, 2015"

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We will miss you payasito Aimar! #ElMago #PabloAimar pic.twitter.com/owOLBryZjT

— Payaso (@KolarovLeftFoot) July 15, 2015"

Others may remember him best for capping off a stunning team move as Valencia beat Liverpool in the 2002/03 Champions League.

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Pablo Aimar's finest goal. Finishing the Valencia team move that cut open Liverpool in the 2002/03 Champions League. pic.twitter.com/yqkCs0a13E

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 15, 2015"

And how about this for an endorsement? Aimar has been identified as a longtime idol of none other than Lionel Messi, and a picture of a young Messi posing with an Aimar shirt is doing the rounds on Twitter.

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#Aimar was also #Messi's idol growing up. That says a lot about his greatness. pic.twitter.com/F58MMXiSgw

— Trivela (@TrivelaPodcast) July 15, 2015"

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Pablo Aimar retires: — One of Messi's 'biggest' influences — Two time La Liga winner — One time UEFA Cup winner pic.twitter.com/6yuUuqwUJU

— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) July 15, 2015"

Aimar retires having been capped 52 times by Argentina. He won league titles with Valencia and Benfica as well as the UEFA Cup in his time at the Mestalla.