Andrea Barzagli confirms he will stop playing when he no longer “feels good” and admits “I suffered a lot” against Tottenham Hotspur’s Heung-min Son.
Barzagli has been at the heart of Juventus’ successes over the past seven years, although questions about his longevity at the top level were asked after he struggled to contain Son at right-back during Wednesday’s trip to Spurs in the Champions League.
“Talk about my age? I won’t deny that sometimes it weighs on me,” he told Tuttosport.
Andrea Barzagli confirms he will stop playing when he no longer “feels good” and admits “I suffered a lot” against Tottenham Hotspur’s Heung-min Son.
Barzagli has been at the heart of Juventus’ successes over the past seven years, although questions about his longevity at the top level were asked after he struggled to contain Son at right-back during Wednesday’s trip to Spurs in the Champions League.
“Talk about my age? I won’t deny that sometimes it weighs on me,” he told Tuttosport.
“However, the important thing is to feel good mentally and physically. As long as I train well, take preventative measures and keep up with others, I can still play.
“When those things start to drop, they’ll be noticed and that’s when the time will come for me to stop.
“I can’t play 60 games a season anymore because my physical condition doesn’t allow it, but when I need to give an answer, I’m there and I think I’ve shown it.
“Did I suffer as a full-back against Tottenham? I’m always available, God forbid. After that, when you meet certain players, you try to stifle them as much as you can.
“I suffered a lot, a bit less in the middle, but lots of players would suffer against Son. He plays at 2,000mph, but I could’ve done much better.”