Italian soccer star Fabio Cannavaro announced his retirement on Saturday, five years to the day after captaining his country to the 2006 World Cup title.
The 38-year-old Cannavaro said medical checkups in Italy in June and this month revealed his right knee would not hold up for the second and last year of his contract with Dubai club Al Alhi.
''I'm very sad. Football is everything for me in my life,'' Cannavaro said. ''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.''
Cannavaro is the only defender to be voted FIFA world player of the year, winning in 2006 after Italy conceded only two goals at the World Cup. He played in four World Cups in a 19-year professional career, and holds the Italian record with 136 international appearances.
Cannavaro, who served as a ballboy in host Italy's 1990 World Cup loss to Argentina, made a name for himself with Parma between 1995 and 2002, helping the central Italian club to the 1999 UEFA Cup title.
Cannavaro signed with Al Ahli last year after Juventus wouldn't extend his contract. He also played for Real Madrid and Inter Milan.
Along with Azzurri teammates Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta, he was a member of Italy's golden age of defenders. Short in stature for a center back at 5-foot-9 1/2, Cannavaro was an excellent man-marker and composed in possession.
