Former Inter Milan striker Diego Milito announces his retirement
Former Inter Milan stiker Diego Milito has decided to hang up his boots next summer.
The striker, who is 36 years of age now, experienced the pinnacle of his career in 2010, where he was crucial in helping the Nerazurri achieve a famous treble including the Champions League under the leadership of Jose Mourinho. Milito, who had scored 22 goals that season also picked up the UEFA Footballer of the Year award for his exploits. The striker currently plays for Racing Club in Argentina, his boyhood club.
Milito initially had plans of retiring at the end of this season’s Argentine Primera Division. He changed his mind when Racing Club defeated Independiente in the play-offs to book their place in next year’s Copa Libertadores. He wants to have one last tilt at the South American equivalent of the Champions League, the Copa Libertadores title before calling it a day.
Quite naturally, bidding goodbye to sports is a hard decision to make. Milito said,
"I am happy to say I will play another six months at the club. I will stay to play the Libertadores.
"It was not easy to stop playing football, something I have been doing my whole life.
"We are in a moment to enjoy, a historic moment and one in a positive way. I think I can continue to contribute to this great group we have formed and enjoy another Libertadores.”
Diego Milito has been suffering from injuries of late and already understands that his career as a footballer is perhaps coming to an end. He said,
"In June 2016 I'm going to retire, no matter what. This is my last six months as a professional player."
Milito’s silverware filled career
In 2010 Inter Milan, under the managerial leadership of Jose Mourinho won the treble. They won the Champions League, the Serie A title and the Coppa Italia title. In the Champions League final, the same year Inter Milan played against Louis van Gaal’s Bayern Munich and won 2-0. Milito scored both the winning goals of the night. He had scored 30 goals in all competitions that year.
In 2014 Milito returned to his boyhood club in his homeland where he had started out his career. Upon joining, Racing Club, with the help of Diego Milito won the title after 13 years. Diego Milito expressed his love for his childhood club,
"This is a dream come true. This is special, because I love this club.
“I started here and learned everything here. That allowed me to build my career. I feel privileged. I am very proud of this group.”
Diego Milito had made 25 appearances for his national team Argentina, having scored four goals during his international career. He was also part of the team that represented Argentina in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.