if i was in rickys shoes, i would first off feel resentment twords the fins.
to him, he played his heart out for the team for 2 years. and after a 6 year carrer in football he finally decided to retire. his timing was bad, but it couldnt be avoided.
so he retires. then a lawyer comes up and says the team wants 8 MIL. from him for breaching his contract. hes probubly thinking.. how can they do that? other players retire all the time, and they dont have to return all the money the team gave them.
now he is in debt 8 mil. almost impossible to repay. and now has to go back to work for that team. not just to work for them. but rather work off a debt to that team. basically being paid nothing. all because he wanted to retire and move on with his life.
how would you feel?
i wouldnt appologise to my teammates.
i would say:
"i wanted to retire. thats it. i no longer have the desire to play. and if one day, you decide to retire, make sure there is no way the team can get any money back from you. cus they will try their best to get that money."
thats what i would say.