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Sport

02nd Feb 2017

This one video shows exactly why Chelsea fans will always love Frank Lampard

It's a love that is definitely reciprocated.

Alex Finnis

Frank Lampard has retired from professional football after a glittering 21-year-career in which he won everything there is to win at the top of the English game.

He retires not only as a Chelsea legend – perhaps the greatest player to ever play for the club – but also as an all-time Premier League great.

His goal-record from midfield may never be matched, and while he started out at West Ham and had a brief stint at Manchester City after departing Stamford Bridge, he’s Chelsea through and through – a man who all Chelsea fans adore.

After 21 incredible years, I have decided that now is the right time to finish my career as a professional footballer. Whilst I have received a number of exciting offers to continue playing at home and abroad, at 38 I feel now is the time to begin the next chapter in my life. I’m immensely proud of the trophies I’ve won, of representing my country over 100 times and of scoring more than 300 career goals. I have many people to thank. I thank my parents for instilling in me the values of hard work, dedication and professionalism, values which I have carried with me in everything that I do. I am forever grateful for the support of my family, my wife Christine and my two daughters Luna and Isla. What you have given me off the pitch has always been my strength on it. I love you all very much. Also, my friends and my own team that have always been there for me. I would like to thank the amazing team-mates, coaches, managers and backroom staff that I was privileged to work with. I’d also like to pay tribute to the clubs that I have represented. Firstly, West Ham United who gave me my debut in 1996. Thanks to the people there that believed in me at that young age. More recently Manchester City and NYCFC. I greatly enjoyed my last playing years at these two clubs and really appreciate the support I received from City Football Group and both clubs’ fans. Of course, the largest part of my heart belongs to Chelsea, a club which has given me so many great memories. I will never forget the opportunity they gave me and the success that we managed to achieve together. It is impossible to give thanks individually to all the people that helped and supported me in my 13 years playing there. All I can say is from the day I signed until now and going forward, I'm eternally grateful for everything and to everyone. Chelsea fans gave myself and my teammates such incredible support. Their passion and hunger drove me on personally to give my best year after year. I couldn't have done it without them. Looking forward, I'm grateful to the FA for the opportunity to study for my coaching qualifications and I look forward to pursuing the off-field opportunities that this decision opens.

A video posted by Frank Lampard (@franklampard) on

It’s a love that was reciprocated, as he showed in his message to the fans in the Instagram post announcing his retirement.

But what shows his love for the fans even more is this video taken from the Chelsea end in Munich, as Didier Drogba scores the penalty which wins the Blues their first ever Champions League trophy.

As he realises he’s become a European Champion, Lampard runs straight to the fans, hugging those who have filtered over onto the pitch and sharing the moment with the people who’ve followed Chelsea and him throughout his career.

One of the fans accidentally punched Lampard in the face when he was trying to hug him, but Frank didn’t seem to mind too much…

As a football fan, this kind of stuff is all you can ever really want from your players..

Thanks to @VtorDante for the video.