Following the announcement that Landon Donovan will retire at the end of the current MLS season, tributes poured in to the 32-year-old:
MLS commissioner, Don Garber, compared Donovan with the greatest names in other sports.
There is no doubt that @MLS would not be what it is today without @LandonDonovan. #ThanksLD pic.twitter.com/FpU5LRgaYz
- Don Garber (@thesoccerdon) August 7, 2014
U.S. Soccer passed on its plaudits too:
Congrats to @LandonDonovan who will conclude an amazing career at the end of this season. #ThanksLD
- U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) August 7, 2014
U.S. Soccer's president echoed the views of the organisation:
Quite simply the best player ever to wear the #USMNT jersey. Congrats on an amazing career @LandonDonovan #ThanksLD
- Sunil Gulati (@sunilgulati) August 7, 2014
His former general manager at the LA Galaxy was definitive in his estimation of Donovan's standing in history:
Landon Donovan is the greatest U.S. male soccer player in history. He did it his way. I like that. I have spoken.
- Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) August 7, 2014
Several of Donovan's former U.S. teammates weighed in, with one referencing his infamous 2013 sabbatical:
The pull of Cambodia must be strong. Congrats to an old friend (and the best player that America has ever produced!) on a great career. #LD
- Jimmy Conrad (@JimmyConrad) August 7, 2014
It's been an honor @landondonovan #ThanksLD pic.twitter.com/kMSNAwKLeT
- tim howard (@TimHowardGK) August 7, 2014
Will never forget the 1st time 16yr old @landondonovan with blond hair showed up at our u20 training. Little did we know...#LD #Legend #GOAT
- Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) August 7, 2014
Landon Donovan will go down as the best player our country has produced. It will be fun watching others try and reach a bar that high.
- Kyle Martino (@kylemartino) August 7, 2014
Congratulations to Landon Donovan for an unbelievable career. You Put US soccer on the map and we are all very grateful. #LD10
- Freddy Adu (@FreddyAdu) August 7, 2014
Donovan's former teams thanked him for his contributions as well:
Congratulations on a great career to @landondonovan as he announces he'll retire later this year. Part of EFC fabric. #ThanksLD
- Everton (@Everton) August 7, 2014
Congrats on a great career @landondonovan! We will never forget your great beginnings here at the Quakes. #ThanksLD pic.twitter.com/U2I27JZiZn
- San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) August 7, 2014
Fan organisations were quick to add their praise for the U.S. legend:
Landon Donovan embodies what this team/sport is about & wears national team jersey with as much pride as any American ever will. We love ya.
- The American Outlaws (@AmericanOutlaws) August 7, 2014
Media members who have covered Donovan's greatest moments lined up to doff their caps:
I'll never forget the first time I saw Landon Donovan play at Spartan Stadium in 2001. His quality was evident then and is now. #ThanksLD
- Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) August 7, 2014
Landon the best ever in US, but had to defy enormous odds. Now those odds need to be shortened for next generation of Donovans.
- Adrian Healey (@AdrianHealey) August 7, 2014
Congratulations @landondonovan on a peerless American career. In time, US fans will appreciate his achievements as much as Evertonians do
- roger bennett (@rogbennett) August 7, 2014
Not 2 many players worldwide that have had heavier workload last 15? Years than Landon. Going to be hard to imagine MLS without him.
- Max Bretos (@mbretosESPN) August 7, 2014
Donovan's national team numbers are, of course, remarkable and record-breaking:
Landon Donovan has 57 international goals & 58 assists. He's the only American to reach 50 in either category.
- ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 7, 2014
Though the news seems so final, there is hope that Donovan goes out in style:
We hope Landon is retiring like KISS, Streisand and Cher. We pray for one Farewell tour after another #StLandon
- Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) August 7, 2014
And what will Donovan do once he finishes as a player? He is committed to staying in the game but ruled out becoming an MLS boss:
Donovan on coaching: "If you look at Bruce, I don't want that." Arena: "I don't recommend it either." #lagalaxy
- Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) August 7, 2014