Fabio Cannavaro hangs up boots

[Mike]

World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro has been forced to end a 19-year career because of a chronic knee injury. The 37-year-old revealed he was 'very sad' about retiring from football altogether but doctors warned the former Italy centre-back that he could not continue with such an injury.

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The former Real Madrid and Inter Milan star had been playing for United Arab Emirates football club Al-Ahli. His injury had forced him to miss the final seven games of last season for the Dubai club, however he has revealed he will remain there taking on a technical adviser role.

"I am very sad. Football is everything for me in my life," he said.

Cannavaro is the only defender to be voted FIFA World Player of the Year, winning in the same year he led Italy to the World Cup in 2006. He featured in four World Cups during an illustrious career which saw him become Italy's most capped player with 136 matches under his belt.

Cannavaro hangs up boots | Sky Sports | Football | Serie A | News

 

[Jamie.]

Zambrotta/Cannavaro/Nesta/Maldini.

Best back four I have ever seen.

Amazing player who was one of the best man markers the game has ever seen, the title 'Legend' is easily banded around these days but Fabio is certainly one of them.

 

[Jay Pricey]

would have liked him to end his career in England, shame, classy player.

 

[ajt09]

Two words for him. Absolute legend.

 

[CJACKO11]

One of the best defenders of this era if not the best.

 

[Jak]

great player a real legend

 

[Jamie F]

The man who basically taught me you don't have to be that tall to play at centre back. Superb defender and has had an incredible career.