Trezeguet terminates contract with UAE's Baniyas

Published Nov. 20, 2011 12:42 p.m. ET

foxsports

French World Cup-winner David Trezeguet terminated his one-year contract with United Arab Emirates club Baniyas due to a muscle injury that has kept him out of action most of the season.

The newspaper Sport360 said Sunday that the 34-year-old striker agreed to end his contract because he couldn't deliver on what had been expected from one of the league's biggest off-season signings.

The club's interim coach Salem al-Orfi praised Trezeguet's honesty, noting that he could have kept his mouth shut and continued to collect a paycheck. Trezeguet, who has played for Monaco, Juventus and Hercules in Spain, only featured in the club's opening league match and a Etisalat Cup match.

Trezeguet won the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship two years later, and was a World Cup runner-up to Italy five years ago. He retired from international duty in 2008.

It was unclear whether Trezeguet will retire from all football or consider a move to another club if he recovers.

The Gulf is a popular destination for older players like Trezeguet, who are in the twilight of their career. Clubs splash out huge sums - in Trezeguet's case ?1.7 million ($2.4 million) - gambling that the attention the signing brings the club outweighs the injury risk.

Former Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro was forced to retire earlier this year in the middle of a two-year deal with Dubai club Al Alhi. The 38-year-old defender determined his knee wouldn't hold up.