Inter captain Javier Zanetti has confirmed that he will retire from football following 19 seasons with the Milan club.
The Argentine joined Inter in 1995 as Massimo Moratti's first signing after taking over the club. After a long-time in service, he found that he could not carry on, reported Xinhua.
"After suffering the Achilles injury last April, I wanted to demonstrate that I could return and be competitive, but I could not," he said.
"Now it is the right time to leave," he said.
"I have realised that to retire at 40 is a priceless feeling. For me, it is something that has immense value," he added.
Inter president Erick Thohir has revealed that the full-back and midfielder would join the club's management as a director.