EPL

'My body can't handle it anymore' – Former Inter and Italy defender Santon forced to retire

By Sports Desk September 09, 2022

Former Inter and Italy defender Davide Santon has announced his retirement from playing at the age of 31 due to persistent injury issues.

The full-back had spent the past four seasons with Roma but failed to make a single appearance under Jose Mourinho in the 2021-22 campaign.

Santon was capped eight times by Italy between 2009 and 2013 and was a two-time Scudetto winner with Inter during the first of two spells with the club, either side of a three-season stint with Newcastle United.

Injuries ultimately took their toll on the defender, who announced his playing days are over in an interview with Tuttomercato published on Friday.

"I'm forced to stop playing," he said. "Not for not having had offers, not for anything else, but because my body, with so many injuries in the past, can't take it anymore.

"I didn't want to do this, but I have to. I had endless tests and consultations, but there was nothing to be done. I can still walk, but that's not enough to be a professional athlete. 

"If I kept pushing, I'd risk needing a prosthesis. The left knee is just gone. It stops me doing lots of things. 

"The right knee, that had surgery three times, removing cartilage, the entire external meniscus, so as soon as I strain it even a little bit, it swells up and can't bend.

"All my injuries really came from there, because if the right knee can't bend, you put more strain on the left and the flexor. If you play one match, you risk being out of action for the next five."

Santon made just 42 Serie A appearances across four seasons with Roma and was accused by some of turning down moves elsewhere in order to continue picking up an easy wage at Stadio Olimpico.

Responding to those claims, Santon said: "I didn't turn anyone down. I was never going to pass a medical."

Related items

  • Football rumours: Arsenal draw up 10-man shortlist in quest for striker Football rumours: Arsenal draw up 10-man shortlist in quest for striker
    What the papers say

    Arsenal’s quest to find a new striker has been whittled down to a 10-man shortlist, according to the Daily Mirror. Among those being watched by the Gunners are RB Leipzig’s Slovenian Benjamin Sesko, 20, Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres, 25, and his fellow Sweden international Alexander Isak, 24, at Newcastle.

    Another Arsenal target may be out of reach, reports the Daily Express. They have been tracking Dutch winger Xavi Simons, 20, but his parent club Paris St-Germain are keen to give him game time after a loan spell at RB Leipzig.

    Liverpool forward Luis Diaz, 27, is still hopeful of a move to Spain. The Daily Mail reports on the Colombia international’s father saying he remains keen on a move to one of La Liga’s top clubs.

    Manchester United have strengthening their defence as their main summer priority, according to The Daily Telegraph. Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, 21, is high on their list of targets.

    Social media round-upPlayers to watch

    Bruno Guimaraes: Spanish outlet Fichajes says Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is “obsessed” by the Newcastle midfielder, 26, who would cost around £85million.

    Lucas Paqueta: West Ham expect Manchester City to make another bid for the Brazil midfielder, 26, according to Football Insider.

  • Gateshead hammer Hartlepool to move fourth in National League Gateshead hammer Hartlepool to move fourth in National League

    Gateshead moved up to fourth in the Vanarama National League with a thumping 7-1 win against Hartlepool.

    The visitors took a deserved lead in the eighth minute when Joe Grey almost allowed the chance to go begging before producing a neat finish.

    Callum Whelan had a goal ruled out for Gateshead before they equalised from the penalty spot in the 28th minute. Luke Hannant slotted home after Dajaune Brown had been tripped in the area by Manny Onariase.

    The home side went ahead early in the second half when Kieron Evans made the most of a poor attempted clearance and fired past Pete Jameson.

    Brown headed home unmarked for 3-1 and it was four when Regan Booty drove through a crowded penalty area shortly afterwards.

    Brown scored his second with a dinked finish and Whelan netted almost a carbon copy sixth with 15 minutes remaining.

    Tom Allan sealed a thoroughly miserable night for the visitors with a late seventh.

  • Altrincham come from behind to see off Wealdstone Altrincham come from behind to see off Wealdstone

    Altrincham returned to winning ways with a 4-1 National League comeback victory at home to struggling Wealdstone.

    Charlie Barker opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark, tapping the ball home following Aaron Henry’s corner for his second goal of the season.

    Altrincham equalised through Alex Newby just four minutes later and the former Rochdale midfielder almost put the hosts ahead before half-time.

    Summer recruit George Wilson fired the Robins ahead for the first time two minutes after the break with a powerful shot from the edge of the 18-yard box and on the hour, Lewis Banks made it 3-1 when he picked out the top corner.

    Regan Linney rounded off the win with 18 minutes remaining with his 10th goal of the season as Altrincham recorded their third win from their last four games to move up to sixth, while their opponents sit three points above the relegation zone.

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.