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World Cup icon admits he'll need prosthetic legs in the future with doctors left stunned
Gianluca Zambrotta won titles in Italy, Spain and with his country at the 2006 World Cup - but his physical condition has been rapidly declining since he hung up his boots
Former Italy defender Gianluca Zambrotta has endured a harrowing physical decline since retiring in 2014.
The ex-Barcelona, Juventus, and AC Milan right-back now faces the grim reality of potentially needing to have prosthetic legs in the future. Zambrotta was a celebrated member of the Italian squad that triumphed in the 2006 World Cup, earning almost 100 caps for Italy.
Throughout his career, he managed to avoid major injuries and made nearly 600 appearances with some of Europe's top clubs. However, his retirement years have seen the onset of an aggressive genu varum condition, which causes bowing of the knees and is getting progressively worse.
Despite consultations with leading medical experts, nobody can fully explain how Zambrotta, in his current condition, is still able to engage in physical activities. Though further surgeries are expected, he has come to terms with the possibility of resorting to a 'full prosthesis' eventually.
Talking to The BSMT podcast, Zambrotta disclosed: "Over time, my legs have become bowed. During my career, I didn't have any major injuries. I've had three operations on my internal menisci. Currently, I don't have them on either the left or the right, so over time, my legs have become bowed and today, I'm a laboratory model for many surgeons.
"Doctors look and ask how [I walk]. In a few years, I will have to wear a full prosthesis. The problem has worsened over time, due to both some genetic exposure and the lack of internal menisci. And so perhaps I should have started working on it earlier.
"I will soon have surgery on both knees. I have visited three or four leading surgeons nationwide, and they can't explain to me how I can have these knees or how I can engage in physical activities like padel tennis, for example."
After a successful playing career that saw him win three Serie A titles and several domestic trophies, Zambrotta tried his hand at management with Swiss team Chiasso and Indian club Delhi Dynamos.
He now serves as a pundit in Italy, where he will continue his medical treatment.
"I'll have to have an osteotomy," he revealed.
"Basically, they'll straighten my legs by cutting small pieces of bone above and below and inserting plates to try to avoid having to get a full prosthesis now, although I'll have to get one in a few years."
Daily Star Sunday
Gianluca Zambrotta won titles in Italy, Spain and with his country at the 2006 World Cup - but his physical condition has been rapidly declining since he hung up his boots
Former Italy defender Gianluca Zambrotta has endured a harrowing physical decline since retiring in 2014.
The ex-Barcelona, Juventus, and AC Milan right-back now faces the grim reality of potentially needing to have prosthetic legs in the future. Zambrotta was a celebrated member of the Italian squad that triumphed in the 2006 World Cup, earning almost 100 caps for Italy.
Throughout his career, he managed to avoid major injuries and made nearly 600 appearances with some of Europe's top clubs. However, his retirement years have seen the onset of an aggressive genu varum condition, which causes bowing of the knees and is getting progressively worse.
Despite consultations with leading medical experts, nobody can fully explain how Zambrotta, in his current condition, is still able to engage in physical activities. Though further surgeries are expected, he has come to terms with the possibility of resorting to a 'full prosthesis' eventually.
Talking to The BSMT podcast, Zambrotta disclosed: "Over time, my legs have become bowed. During my career, I didn't have any major injuries. I've had three operations on my internal menisci. Currently, I don't have them on either the left or the right, so over time, my legs have become bowed and today, I'm a laboratory model for many surgeons.
"Doctors look and ask how [I walk]. In a few years, I will have to wear a full prosthesis. The problem has worsened over time, due to both some genetic exposure and the lack of internal menisci. And so perhaps I should have started working on it earlier.
"I will soon have surgery on both knees. I have visited three or four leading surgeons nationwide, and they can't explain to me how I can have these knees or how I can engage in physical activities like padel tennis, for example."
After a successful playing career that saw him win three Serie A titles and several domestic trophies, Zambrotta tried his hand at management with Swiss team Chiasso and Indian club Delhi Dynamos.
He now serves as a pundit in Italy, where he will continue his medical treatment.
"I'll have to have an osteotomy," he revealed.
"Basically, they'll straighten my legs by cutting small pieces of bone above and below and inserting plates to try to avoid having to get a full prosthesis now, although I'll have to get one in a few years."
Daily Star Sunday