This archive report was first published on 4 October 2019.
Former Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio has brought the curtain down on his illustrious 25-year career with the Italian club, announcing his retirement at the age of 33.
Published on October 4, 2019, Marchisio's decision to hang up his boots comes after a short stint with Russian side Zenit St Petersburg, which he joined in September 2018 on a two-year deal.
However, his time with Zenit was cut short earlier this year due to a persistent knee issue, which limited him to just nine appearances for the club.
"It's an important decision but a very difficult one," Marchisio told reporters at Juve's Allianz Stadium. "It was right to reveal it in a very special place. I decided to retire because I realized my body was no longer reacting as the head wanted," he added.
Marchisio's decision marks the end of an era for the Italian midfielder, who won seven Serie A titles and four Italian Cups during his time at Juventus. He also earned 55 caps for Italy, the last of which was in 2017.
"I spent unforgettable moments on the field... I thank Juventus and the other teams I played with, my teammates, managers and coaches who gave me all of this," he said.
"Here I lifted my most important trophies. These are the emotions that will always remain within me," Marchisio added.
