Italy's World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro announced his retirement on Saturday - exactly five years to the day since he lifted the World Cup trophy.
The 37-year-old had been playing for United Arab Emirates outfit Al-Ahli, but had disappointed his owners this season.
He had hoped to return for the next campaign but has been told by doctors that his right knee would not hold up for the second and last year of his contract.
"I'm very sad. Football is everything for me in my life," Cannavaro told reporters in Dubai.
"It's not a simple thing. Everyone says it has to come. But when it comes, it's a decision you have to face.
"I came back to Dubai to continue training. Unfortunately, the medical examiner didn't permit me to continue. My knee can no longer cope with playing."
However, Cannavaro will stay at Al-Ahli as a technical adviser for the next three years, a move which has been welcomed by club president Abdullah Al-Naboodah.
Al-Naboodah added: "His 19 years of experience will definitely benefit the club.
"Fabio is a World Cup winner and played at the highest level in Europe. All that on his CV will benefit us at Al-Ahli.
"I always said Fabio is one of the best assets the club has ever got in terms of professionalism, in terms of attitude, in terms of teaching the younger generation.
"Everything he brought to this club still remains. He has been great for the club."
Cannavaro started his career at hometown club Napoli and went on to feature for Parma, Inter Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid and joined Al-Ahli in the summer of 2010.
He featured in four World Cups and was Italy skipper when they won the trophy in Germany in 2006.
He won FIFA World Player of the Year award later in the same year and is Italy's all-time most capped international with 136 games, beating the record previously held by Paolo Maldini.
Full name: Fabio Cannavaro
Date of birth: September 13, 1973
Birthplace: Naples, Italy
Nationality: Italian
Honours:
FIFA World Cup (2006)
UEFA Cup (1999)
Coppa Italia (1999, 2002)
Supercoppa Italiana (1999)
La Liga (2007, 2008)
Supercopa de España (2008)
FIFA World Player of the Year (2006)
Ballon d'Or (2006)
FIFA World Cup Silver Ball Award (2006)
Serie A Footballer of the Year (2006)
Italian Footballer of the Year (2006)
Related links:
Personal
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| Al-Ahli president Abdullah Al-Naboodah announces Fabio Cannavaro's retirement from football Photo: AP |
The 37-year-old had been playing for United Arab Emirates outfit Al-Ahli, but had disappointed his owners this season.
A serious knee injury had forced him to miss the final seven games of last season for the Dubai club.
He had hoped to return for the next campaign but has been told by doctors that his right knee would not hold up for the second and last year of his contract.
"I'm very sad. Football is everything for me in my life," Cannavaro told reporters in Dubai.
"It's not a simple thing. Everyone says it has to come. But when it comes, it's a decision you have to face.
"I came back to Dubai to continue training. Unfortunately, the medical examiner didn't permit me to continue. My knee can no longer cope with playing."
However, Cannavaro will stay at Al-Ahli as a technical adviser for the next three years, a move which has been welcomed by club president Abdullah Al-Naboodah.
Al-Naboodah added: "His 19 years of experience will definitely benefit the club.
"Fabio is a World Cup winner and played at the highest level in Europe. All that on his CV will benefit us at Al-Ahli.
"I always said Fabio is one of the best assets the club has ever got in terms of professionalism, in terms of attitude, in terms of teaching the younger generation.
"Everything he brought to this club still remains. He has been great for the club."
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| Fabio Cannavaro lifted the World Cup trophy following Italy's victory in 2006 Photo: Shaun Botterill/GETTY IMAGES |
Cannavaro started his career at hometown club Napoli and went on to feature for Parma, Inter Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid and joined Al-Ahli in the summer of 2010.
He featured in four World Cups and was Italy skipper when they won the trophy in Germany in 2006.
He won FIFA World Player of the Year award later in the same year and is Italy's all-time most capped international with 136 games, beating the record previously held by Paolo Maldini.
Full name: Fabio Cannavaro
Date of birth: September 13, 1973
Birthplace: Naples, Italy
Nationality: Italian
Honours:
FIFA World Cup (2006)
UEFA Cup (1999)
Coppa Italia (1999, 2002)
Supercoppa Italiana (1999)
La Liga (2007, 2008)
Supercopa de España (2008)
FIFA World Player of the Year (2006)
Ballon d'Or (2006)
FIFA World Cup Silver Ball Award (2006)
Serie A Footballer of the Year (2006)
Italian Footballer of the Year (2006)
Related links:
Personal
