Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand admits there's no changing Edwin van der Sar's mind about retirement.
Many believe the keeper could go on for at least another season.
Ferdinand told The Sun: "Everyone was singing 'One more year' at our do after the game against Blackburn when we won the Premier League title.
"He enjoyed that but he wasn't going to change his mind. I spoke to him about it at lunch the other day but you have to understand that he's going out at the very, very top.
"Not many players get the choice to do that and he's got that choice.
"Next year he could play and he might look his age and if he goes out with a whimper, it's not the same. You've got to respect his decision."