Former Inter, Roma and Newcastle United player Davide Santon, who was nicknamed ‘The Kid’ when launched by Jose Mourinho and neutralising Cristiano Ronaldo, has announced his retirement at the age of 31. ‘My body just can’t handle it anymore. My knees are gone.’
The right-back was a product of the Inter academy and made his way through to the senior squad in 2009, participating in the legendary Treble-winning campaign under Mourinho.
Santon famously marked Cristiano Ronaldo out of the game in February 2009 in the Champions League Round of 16, just a few weeks after his Serie A debut.
There were also spells at Cesena, Newcastle United and Roma before he left as a free agent this summer, when his coach was again Mourinho.
After failing to find a new club, Santon has announced his retirement at the age of 31.
“I am forced to hang up my boots. It’s not that I don’t have offers, but my body just can’t handle it anymore after so many injuries,” Santon told Tuttomercatoweb.
“I am forced to do this. I didn’t want to, 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 explains this also to hit back at some at Roma who accused him of rejecting transfers and sitting in the stands picking up a salary all season.
“I didn’t turn anyone down, but I was never going to pass a medical.”
He amassed eight senior caps for Italy, five of them in 2009, before those injury problems derailed his career.
So sad. I wish you all the best, maybe coaching career.
The life of a professional footballer, that is one reason they can earn good wages.
Good luck Santon
Fly high sweet Davide
I thought he retired 2 years ago?!