Villarreal lose an icon as Marcos Senna heads Stateside (Video)

After 11 seasons, including a total of 363 appearances in all competitions, Villarreal legend Marcos Senna is to leave the club at the end of his contract.

According to his former club the Brazilian born Spaniard, now 36, is bound for the MLS. 

The club, who released a statement appearing on their official website, chose not to disclose his final destination. Instead it seems that they simply wanted to thank him and to confirm the next stage of his career will play out amid the slightly less competitive environment of the MLS. 

It could all have been so different though. Perhaps unfairly, Senna never enjoyed the adulation outside of Spain that his ability probably deserved. Staying at Villarreal for the majority of his career he was a late-comer to the international limelight, making only 28 appearances for the Spanish national team between 2006 - 2010.  

Yet, in spite of this, many were of the opinion that had he moved to a 'bigger' club, he could have displayed, to a larger audience, the sort of performances that saw him recognised in the 2006 UEFA World Cup team as Spain finally shed their 'nearly-men' image. 

Conversely, his club career never hit the heights it deserved and, perhaps, most notable of his club achievements was the Yellow Submarines infamous run to the Champions League finals in 2006 under the guidance of, current Manchester City target, Manuel Pellegrini. 

Since then however, the Castillan outfit have been considerably less competitive and, although relegated last season, Senna's decision to stay and help their promotion charge this term sees him leaving the club rightfully enshrined as one of their icons. 

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Comments

[Phil]

Really loved watching Senna play when at the peak of his powers. Him, Mauro Silva, Gilberto Silva, Roy Keane and Claude Makelele brought a certain dignity to the stopper role that it hadn't enjoyed before