Liviu Antal to retire after season, with final home match on Sunday
Žalgiris striker Liviu Antal will retire from professional football at the end of the season, bringing an end to a career spanning more than two decades. His final home appearance for the Vilnius club will be against Hegelmann on Sunday, 18 October, with kick-off at 17:00.
Photo: FK Žalgiris Across three spells with Žalgiris, the Romanian has scored 110 goals in 212 official matches in all competitions, making him the club’s leading scorer in the modern era. “It is not easy, but I am happy with what I have achieved and with the people I have met in football,” he said. “Žalgiris is part of my journey and my life.”
Antal, who turns 38 this season, said his love for football had sustained him throughout his career. He named reaching the Champions League group stage with Romanian clubs and representing his country among his proudest moments. His time in Vilnius also brought league titles and two Toplyga top-scorer awards. He said he was grateful for his decision to join Žalgiris in 2017 and for the support of team-mates, coaches, supporters and family.
One of the toughest periods came in 2023, when he underwent an eight-hour operation. Although recovery was expected to take at least six months, Antal returned to action after four months and 10 days. He said the belief of his wife, daughter and team helped him through the rehabilitation.
He also recalled scoring twice in a 2-1 Conference League win over Pafos, on his daughter’s birthday. More recently, after rejoining Žalgiris in the summer, he scored in nine consecutive league matches as the team climbed to third and secured European football. Antal said three matches remain and urged supporters to back the side until the end of the season. He is due to meet fans at a Žalgiris quiz on 19 October.
Source: fkzalgiris.lt
