Kolarov announces retirement from football

Aleksandar Kolarov has retired. The 36-year-old Serbian, who has had little playing time this season with Inter Milan, announced on Saturday that he is retiring from playing football after 15 seasons at the top level of Italian and English football.

The left-back, who excelled in attacking play and his great striking ability, made a statement in an official press release distributed by the 'ANSA' agency: "I always knew that this day would come sooner or later and, despite this, I am grateful for having achieved what has always been my dream".

Kolarov left OFK Beograd in his native country and made the leap to Serie A. He was a key player for Lazio when he arrived in 2007. He made 104 appearances in three seasons, scoring eleven goals and providing five assists, before being signed by a Manchester City side in their first years as a rich club. 

The Serbian made his career at Etihad, but could have made it at the Santiago Bernabeu. Mourinho's Real Madrid came to an agreement with his agent, but, in the end, he signed with the Sky Blues. In Manchester, he spent seven seasons at a great level. He made 247 appearances, scoring 21 goals and providing 26 assists before returning to Italy.

Roma signed him in 2017 and he became even more irreplaceable at the Olimpico. In his first season, he reached his record for assists (12) and in his second, for goals in a season (9). In total, he made 132 appearances with 19 goals and 20 assists.

The 2019-20 season would be his last as a key player, as he would barely play a leading role at Inter, his last team. He spent two years at the Giuseppe Meazza, with just 15 games played. This past season, he played just 42 minutes in four appearances.

He also played an important role with his national team. He played in two World Cups (2010 and 2018) and one Olympic Games (2008) with Serbia, for whom he played 94 times, scoring eleven goals and providing nine assists.

He has won one Serie A, two Premier League, two Coppa Italia, two FA Cups, two EFL Cups, two Supercoppa and one Community Shield, trophies he won with Lazio, Manchester City and Inter Milan.

Kolarov is already thinking about the future and is clear that he will continue to be involved in football: "I'm already planning my 'second life' in the world of football. And that's why, as soon as the call-ups are published, I'll sign up for training courses, first as a scout and then as a sporting director, at the Federal Technical Centre in Coverciano.