Monday 5 December, 2005
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Demetrio Albertini has announced his retirement from professional football after failing to find a new club.
The midfielder has been without a side since he was released by Barcelona in the summer and has today confirmed he has hung up his boots.
"After many years in which I have given my life to this sport, I have decided to leave football," the 34-year-old stated.
"After a lot of victories and defeats which have helped to form my character, I need new stimuli and objectives, which I will target with the great passion which has always accompanied me."
Albertini was born in Besana Brianza on August 23, 1971 and was a successful product of the Milan youth system.
He spent 14 years with the Italian gaints, between 1989 and 2002, where he scored 21 goals in 293 games.
It was with the Rossoneri that he collected five League titles, one European Cup, two European Super Cups and three Italian Super Cups.
Albertini left Milan in 2002 when he joined Atletico Madrid for a season, before moving back to Italy with Lazio.
The former Italian international, who won 79 caps with two goals, then signed for Atalanta prior to his January switch to Barca and the Nou Camp. |