Thursday 4 July 2019 14:00, UK
World Cup-winning defender Massimo Oddo has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 35.
World Cup-winning defender Massimo Oddo has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 35.
The former Lazio and AC Milan defender spent the 2011/12 campaign on the books of Lecce, making 16 appearances and scoring one goal.
He has taken the decision to hang up his boots and bring the curtain down on an illustrious playing career, but is hoping to remain part of the game in some capacity.
"I leave football," Oddo said to radio station Radio Mana Mana Sport.
"When you reach a certain age, you face a crossroad.
"I am studying to become a coach but I am more attracted to working behind a desk, like a sporting director. That would be my dream."
Oddo, a member of Italy's World Cup-winning squad in 2006, made his Serie A debut in 2000 with Hellas Verona.
He joined Lazio two years later and won the Coppa Italia in his second season with the Biancoceleste.
He moved to AC Milan in 2007 and won the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Supercup and the FIFA Club World Cup during his time at the San Siro.
Oddo was also in the Rossoneri team that won the Serie A title in the 2010/11 season.
