Owen Hargreaves has revealed he could quit the game if he fails to reach his old level of performance.
Former England international recalls highlights from his career
Former Manchester City midfielder Owen Hargreaves has revealed he could quit the game if he fails to reach his old level of performance.
Hargreaves, 31, has been blighted by knee injuries over the last three years, which now threaten to prematurely end his career.
The former Bayern Munich midfielder joined City on a one-year contract last summer, following his release from Manchester United.
And after marking his City debut with a goal against Birmingham in September, Hargreaves regrettably only managed three further appearances due to injuries, the last coming in January.
Level
He was released by City at the end of the season and is now mulling over his future.
"I don't want to chase something," he said.
"If I get the right fit I will go for it. But I am not forced to do anything and if I can't get back to the level I used to, I don't want to play."
The realisation for the one-time Manchester City midfielder that his career might be over has prompted a period of reflection from him.
Achievement
"I am a football player," he added. "That is how I am identified as an individual.
"I was pretty humbled in the sense that was taken away from me. Now it is about taking the next step and deciding what I want to do.
"But the really satisfying thing is that I have put myself in a position where I can actually think about it.
"Maybe I will never be in a Champions League final or semi-final again but to get to where I am now is a huge achievement."
