Argentina's Gabriel Milito to retire

Former Argentina defender Gabriel Milito has announced his decision to retire at the end of the current season.

The 31-year-old, the brother of Inter Milan striker Diego Milito, has played in the Spanish league for Barcelona and Real Zaragoza but is currently captain of Argentine side Independiente.

In recent weeks Milito had suffered from a groin injury, which prevented him from training.

It was the latest in a long line of injuries to have marred his career.

Admitting he didn't feel "mentally or physically as he wanted to be", Milito said he would retire in the coming weeks.

"The best thing for me and the club is to bring things to an end at the end of the season," Milito told a press conference.

Milito began his career as a 17-year-old with Independiente at the end of 1997, remaining with the club until 2003 when he moved to Zaragoza.

After four seasons he signed for Barcelona, where he remained until 2011. He subsequently returned to Argentina and his first club.

He played for Argentina 42 times including at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.