Andrea Barzagli has confirmed he will retire at the end of the season after eight years with the Bianconeri.
The 38-year-old defender played a key role in Juve’s recent success, forming the core of the fabled ‘BBC’ defensive line, but was expected to call time on his career after one final contract extension with the Bianconeri.
Speaking after Juve’s 2-1 defeat to SPAL, Barzagli confirmed his retirement to Barzagli told Sky Sport Italia:
“I thought about it long and hard, but this is the right moment to retire at the end of the season.
“Considering my age and all the injuries I’ve had to deal with, I’m going to hang up my boots in June. I am starting the process of figuring out what to do afterwards, because I’ve dreamed of being a player since I was a little boy and now I have to consider what comes next.”
It has been suggested Barzagli could join Max Allegri’s Juventus staff, while he could be a director or even a television pundit.
“There are already so many on TV! I don’t know yet, I have to decide what I want and what I’m capable of. I remain attracted to the world of football, but I need to evaluate a few things.”
The Juventus legend won eight scudetti in Bianconeri stripes along with a further four Coppa Italia and three Italian Supercoppam as well as making it to two Champions League finals.
