Former World Player of the Year Fabio Cannavaro retired on Saturday five years to the day since captaining Italy to World Cup glory. The 37-year-old, who stepped down from Italy duty after last year's humbling World Cup group stage exit as holders, has ended his time with Dubai's Al Ahli because of a recurring knee injury.
"It's a sad day since football has been very much part of my life for the last 20 years, but then there is nothing I could do," the former Parma, Juventus, Inter Milan and Real Madrid player told reporters. "I have decided to stop playing after a medical examination in Italy last week. Doctors have told me clearly that I can no longer play. "Injuries are part of a sportsman's life, but then life moves on. Every sportsperson in the world has to make a decision one day. And today is the day for me."