Juventus and Italy star Claudio Marchisio retires

Claudio Marchisio has called time on his 14-year playing career after accepting he can no longer keep up with the rigours of the game.

Former Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio has been without a club after leaving Russia Zenit after one season.

Former Juventus and Italy star Claudio Marchisio has retired at the age of 33.

The midfielder had been without a club since Zenit agreed to terminate his contract on July 1 after only one season in Russia.

View this post on Instagram

Avevo fatto una promessa al bambino che sognava di diventare un calciatore. Avrei continuato a giocare fino a quando, mettendo piede in campo, avessi sentito la meraviglia del sogno che si stava avverando. Negli ultimi mesi ho vissuto un contrasto tra mente e cuore e ho capito che stavo venendo meno alla mia promessa. Ci sono momenti in cui è giusto che il cuore prevalga sulla mente, per questo preferisco fermarmi. Lo faccio senza ripensamenti, insieme alla mia famiglia, che mi ha insegnato a guardare al futuro con curiosità, senza timore. E allora grazie sogno! Perché mi hai dato forza, coraggio, successo e soprattutto mi hai reso felice! . I'd made a promise to the kid who dreamt to become a football player. I would have played until I had felt the marvel of the dream coming true by stepping into the pitch. In the past months my mind and my heart went through mixed feelings and I finally understood I wasn't fulfilling my promise anymore. There are times when it is right for the heart to prevail over the mind, that's why I prefer to stop. I have no regrets, also thanks to my family that has taught me to eagerly look into the future. So, thank you dream! You gave me courage, strength, success and, above all, joy! #ForzaJuve #EmpoliFC #ДавайЗенит #VivoAzzurro #MC8 #future #mylife #myfamily @juventus @empoli_fc_official @zenit_spb @azzurri

A post shared by Claudio Marchisio (@marchisiocla8) on Oct 3, 2019 at 6:03am PDT

 

Writing on Instagram, Marchisio said: "I'd made a promise to the kid who dreamt to become a football player. I would have played until I had felt the marvel of the dream coming true by stepping into the pitch.

"In the past months my mind and my heart went through mixed feelings and I finally understood I wasn't fulfilling my promise anymore.

"There are times when it is right for the heart to prevail over the mind, that's why I prefer to stop.

"I have no regrets, also thanks to my family that has taught me to eagerly look into the future.

"So, thank you dream! You gave me courage, strength, success and, above all, joy!"

Juve tweeted a video in recognition of their former player, who won 15 trophies with the club, including seven Serie A titles.

Your dream.

A long journey, a wonderful story.

It was great to experience it together, @clamarchisio8 ❤ pic.twitter.com/XnT2Biq9hR

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) October 3, 2019

 

Barcelona great Andres Iniesta also wrote on Twitter of Marchisio: "I enjoyed watching you play but competing against you even more. Today, football is a little less football."

Marchisio also won 55 senior Italy caps and was part of the side that reached the final of Euro 2012 and claimed the bronze medal at the 2013 Confederations Cup.