Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti has confirmed that he will retire from playing at the end of the season.
The 40-year-old defender has struggled for appearances during the current campaign following a serious Achilles injury.
However, Zanetti is due to stay on at the club as a sporting director.
"To quit at 40 is a unique sensation. I feel proud of myself, this is the right moment," the Argentine told La Nacion. "After my injury last year, I wanted to prove that I could come back to competitive football and I made it.
"I dreamed of ending my career with Inter. Inter is my my home and I'll try to contribute off the pitch as well as on it.
"I'll be the sporting director - a fascinating new challenge. I'm willing to learn."
Zanetti, who has played nearly 900 times for Inter since arriving at the San Siro in 1995, has won multiple honours with the club including five Serie A titles and the Champions League.
Jack Prescott
