Italy’s Euro 2020-winning striker, Ciro Immobile, has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 36.
Immobile confirmed his decision in a video released on Friday, in which he addressed his teammates at French Ligue 1 side Paris FC, whom he joined earlier this year.
“It’s a very difficult moment for me because it’s the end of one of the greatest periods of my life. I loved this job with all my heart, but I want to be honest with myself about the current situation,” he explained.
The former Lazio captain said his decision was influenced by his inability to continue performing at the level he expected from himself.
“If I can no longer keep pushing when I’m in pain, when I’m training, if I can’t give my best, it’s hard,” he added.
Immobile also expressed his appreciation for his Paris FC teammates and explained that spending more time with his family had become a priority.
“It’s not an easy decision because you are incredible guys, a great family… but for me it’s time to spend time with my family. They followed me everywhere, I needed them for 17 years, and today they need me.”
The striker ends his career with an impressive record of 350 goals in 656 appearances for various clubs.
His most successful spell came at Lazio, where he spent eight years between 2016 and 2024.
He scored 207 goals in 340 appearances, becoming the Italian club’s all-time leading scorer.
Immobile also had spells outside Italy, representing Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla and Turkish club Besiktas during his career.
At international level, he earned 57 caps for Italy and was part of the squad that won the European Championship in 2021.
Italy defeated England on penalties at Wembley in the final of the tournament, which had been postponed from 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Immobile later suffered a serious thigh injury during his time in Italy before moving to Paris FC in February, with his contract initially running until the end of the season and an option for another year.
However, his time with the newly promoted French club produced only two league goals before he brought his playing career to an end.
