Jose Izquierdo will have mixed emotions as he watches the World Cup final at home in Colombia.

The ex-Albion winger is thrilled to see his former colleague Alexis Mac Allister on the biggest stage.

But there have been times when he has reflected on how the 2018 finals in Russia marked the start of injury nightmares which could now end his career.

Izquierdo is considering retirement due to the ongoing pain caused by knee problems.

He returned to his previous club Bruges last season but is now back home.

He cycles to keep fit and lives pain-free – until he starts playing football.

So a big decision awaits, to be taken with the help of family and friends.

Izquierdo told The Argus: “I’m good. But I don’t have a club.

“I’m looking at it and thinking whether I play or stop.

“I’m training. I do a lot of cycling to keep my fitness but it’s not the same as playing football.

“I’m making the most of this time with family and friends at home.

“I’ve had various options and I have explained the situation to clubs as I’m explaining to you, that I’m taking my time to think things over thoroughly.”

Izquierdo was a big hit with Albion in the 2017-18 season and his individual goal at home to West Ham pipped his finish to a team move at Stoke to scoop the goal of the season prize.

He was, as it turned out, at the height of his Albion powers as he laughed his way through the club’s awards night and collected his trophy towards the end of that season.

But he suffered a knee injury in Russia and never really got back to his best.

A brief run out at Sheffield United two seasons ago turned out to be his final moments in the Premier League.

He said: “When I played at Sheffield it was a huge happiness for me.

“Obviously it opens some doors of opportunity to find a new club because my contract at Brighton was coming to an end.

“But, unfortunately, before the season ended, I had another injury with my femoral ligament which reduced the chances of going to another club.

“I went back to Bruges and they helped me a lot to get back to 100%. I didn’t get the chances I would have liked to play.

“I understood that, in the end, I wasn’t in the coach’s plans.

“I was very grateful for the chance they gave me to recover but I needed to play a lot more.

“From there you start to realise things aren’t the same.

“It was hard to fight for a place with the injuries.

“You start to ask whether it was worth continuing or take a different road.”

Izquierdo, 30, does not know what he would do if he retired, although he rules out cycling as a second sporting career.

He added: “I don’t see myself as a coach.

“Maybe something like a players’ representative. That could be interesting if I can’t play.”

Izquierdo has been watching the current World Cup.

“Yes, it’s a bit hard but I’m really pleased to see what is happening with Alexis.”

He would love to see Argentina win it “because Messi deserves it”.

But another Argentinean has been in his thoughts of late.

He is aware Gabriel Batistuta was in such agony after playing on with ankle injuries that, in later life, he struggled to walk and even asked to have his legs amputated.

Izquierdo said: “The main problem is the pain in the knee. If I don’t play, it doesn’t hurt.

“It’s something I’m thinking about. Is it worth playing with pain and taking that risk?

“Do I do like Batistuta, who waited so long?

“Is it worth that sacrifice or have a full, calm life with no pain?

“It’s hard because I’m passionate about football, I love football, I miss playing.

“I’m sorry about how things went at Brighton because I wanted to play more.

“But I got to a World Cup and there are lot of things which mark you as a person.”