By Daily Sports on January 7, 2020

Former Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36, just six months after signing a one-year deal with Boca Juniors.

The midfielder says the decision is not due to injury, but a desire to be closer to his family back home in Italy.

“I don’t have any health-related issues, I have the need to be with my daughter. They miss me, and I miss them," De Rossi said at a news conference.

“I had the pleasure of working with the new board. They tried to convince me to stay but the decision was set. They asked me to think about this for a few days.

"The board offered me their help. But I don’t need help. I need to go back home. I’m not only saying goodbye to a club that’s in my heart, I’m saying goodbye to football, it’s my world.

“I don’t want to get into details. I’ve already explained it well. My oldest daughter was the only one to stay in Italy. She’s living well, she’s not in danger, she just needs her father.

“Here in Argentina we’re very far [away]. If I were elsewhere in Europe, I would be an hour away.”

De Rossi made the high-profile move to Buenos Aires in July and marked his competitive debut with a goal against Almagro in the Copa Argentina the following month.

However, he has been restricted to just five further appearances for the club since, his cause not helped by injuries including a hamstring strain picked up against Boca’s great rivals River Plate in September.

Despite his premature departure, De Rossi insists he has no regrets about the move and will always hold the club dear.

"You guys know how the Boca fanbase is, what La Bombonera is, I’m leaving a piece of my heart here," he added.

"I will continue to be a part of Boca. Perhaps destiny (will) bring us together once again. I will continue to watch Boca. The people I’ve met here have been magical, I will never forget this experience.

“This decision wasn’t made from one day to the next, this decision was made a while ago.” (Goal)

•PHOTO: Danielle De Rossi 

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 7, 2020

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