Ex-Italy skipper Cannavaro hangs up boots

Fabio Cannavaro, who led Italy to World Cup glory in 2006, on Saturday announced his retirement from football at the age of 37 because of a nagging knee injury.

Cannavaro, who will remain with current club Al-Ahli, in Dubai, on the management staff, said: "The cartilage has given way.

"I tried to get it better during the holidays but when I realised that I felt pain after a simple jog, I understood that I could go on no longer.

"I'll stay at Al-Ahli for three more years as adviser," added the 136-time capped Italian, the only defender to have been voted World Player of the Year.

Cannavaro started his career in 1992 with home club Naples, before moving to Parma (1995-2002), Inter Milan (2002-4), Juventus (2004-6), Real Madrid (2006-9), and then back to Juve for one season before joining Al-Ahli.