( CNN ) -- Former Real Madrid and Spain midfielder Ruben de la Red officially announced his retirement from football in an emotional press conference on Thursday . De la Red has not played since he collapsed during a Copa del Rey match in October 2008 , with what has since been diagnosed as a heart problem . The 25-year-old , who was a part of Spain 's victorious Euro 2008 squad , will stay at the club and begin a new career as a coach at the Bernabeu . `` I wish to send my support to all those players out there whose careers were also cut short . I am also very grateful to all the people who have supported me , '' said de la Red , who was visibly emotional as he addressed the Spanish media . `` I 've fought against this in vain and doctors have advised me to stop . I always dreamt of becoming a football player and to be successful at this club , which is the greatest in the world . `` I am very excited and anxious to start this new stage in my career thanks to the club . I will be able to continue to work at a place I regard as my home . I will try to learn the skills of a coach and I will give my all to be successful . '' De la Red is a product of the Real Madrid youth system and made his debut for the Spanish giants in 2004 , before being sold to Getafe in 2007 with an option for Los Blancos to re-sign the player . It was an option Real took up after the midfielder impressed for Getafe during their run to the 2007-08 UEFA Cup quarterfinals . He also earned three caps for Spain , scoring his only international goal in a 3-1 win over Greece in the group stages of Euro 2008 .
Ruben de la Red has officially announced his retirement from football . The 25-year-old has not played since 2008 due to a heart condition . The former Spain international will now join Real Madrid 's coaching team .