Andrea Ranocchia explained the reasons behind his retirement, his best and worst career moments and his tough time at Inter.
The 34-year-old Italian announced his retirement earlier this week, deciding to hang up his boots after fracturing of the fibula in his Serie A debut with Monza. Ranocchia spent 11 years tied to Inter, often being the scapegoat for their negative period following their Treble success at the start of last decade.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ranocchia first discussed how he feels now following his recent fibula fracture.
“It’s a bit better, I took off the cast recently, I’m back to walking, although I still feel pain. I’m doing therapy, I’ll start with the gym again soon. I’m not in a hurry now.”
He explained why he decided to retire despite having a contract with Monza lasting until 2024.
“There wasn’t a single triggering episode. Since April, also due to a series of private matters, I started to feel less enthusiasm for football. I hoped it was just a moment. At Inter I was fine with everyone.”
The 34-year-old reflected on his Inter departure in the summer, when a decade-long experience came to an end.
“My contract expired in June, Ausilio explained to me that they had to make a whole series of changes. I wanted to play more, and Monza came along.
“A serious project, carried out by managers who have already won, the possibility of not changing home even for my children and for the youngsters to grow. I accepted.
“But during the training camp I struggled a lot. Discovering that the fire for football that lit me up for 30 years wasn’t coming back was terrible.”
Ranocchia touched on how much his injury contributed to his decision to retire.
“It accelerated a process that was already underway. So much so that I don’t rule out the possibility that such a serious injury was related to the fact that my head was no longer spinning in the right way.”
He spoke about the various messages he received after announcing his retirement.
“I received messages and phone calls from ordinary people, from all my teammates, opponents and coaches, even those I never had.
“But in these days I’ve really isolated myself. Yesterday Conte called me. I’ll answer him soon, like the others.”
The former defender reflected on his tough decade-long spell with Inter.
“I was very down, an experience I could have done without, but formative. In football, when things don’t go right they target two or three players.
“Arriving immediately after the Treble, I experienced difficult seasons for the club. But I also enjoyed the upturn thanks to Suning and Spalletti himself, up to the victories with Conte and Inzaghi.”
Ranocchia commented on Inter’s sluggish start to the season under Simone Inzaghi.
“There are moments like that, especially at the start of the season, with a squad full of international players who also played in the summer.
“I’m sure Inter will bounce back. They have the strongest squad and a healthy dressing room. They remain my favourites for the Scudetto.”
He spoke about the best and worst moments of his career.
“The worst in the summer, when I realised that the light wasn’t coming back on. The most beautiful, the Scudetto. I chased it for a long time, I’ve seen and experienced everything. To win like this is the best.
“The arithmetic arrived the next day with Sassuolo–Atalanta, but we were already celebrating on the plane back from Crotone. Conte, too, who never disregards anything until the result is certain.”
Finally, Ranocchia discussed Conte’s departure from Inter.
“I wasn’t surprised. He has an obsession with winning and perhaps he thought he had squeezed everything out of himself and that squad.”