WORLD CUP winner Gianluca Zambrotta has opened up about suffering from a bone deformity that requires him to undergo surgery.
Zambrotta, 48, opened up on his Genu Varum diagnosis, a deformity usually known as Bow Legs that causes the legs to curve outwards at the knees.
World Cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta has opened up on being diagnosed with a leg deformity[/caption]
Zambrotta has Genu Varum, meaning his legs bend outwards at the knee[/caption]
The retired right-back had an impressive career that saw him play for Barcelona, Juventus and AC Milan as well as lifting the World Cup as a crucial member of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning squad.
But since hanging up his boots in 2014 as a three-time Italian champion, Zambrotta has had to battle with issues caused by his Bow Leg diagnosis.
Now he has revealed that he will have to have surgery to fix the issue after doctors were left shocked that he could even walk.
He told Gianluca Gazzoli’s BSMT podcast: “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, for example.”
Adding: “The doctors look at me and ask me how I walk.”
Zambrotta explained that doctors will have to cut into his bones in order to perform the operation, known as an osteotomy.
“I’ll have to have an osteotomy,” he said.
Zambrotta used to play for Juventus[/caption]
“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.”
Zambrotta didn’t have any major injuries or issues throughout his career, but did have three small operations on the muscles around his knees.
The Serie A icon – who has called himself a “laboratory model for surgeons” – will eventually have to use prosthetic legs.
Zambrotta retired with 98 Italy caps to his name, featuring in three World Cups, three European Championships and one Olympics for the national side.
While his club career spanned 19 years and saw him play for Como, Bari, Juventus, AC Milan, Barcelona and Swiss outfit Chiasso.
And he even spent a small amount of time pursuing a career in management after calling quits on his playing days.
Zambrotta had a brief spell as Chiasso manager between 2014 and 2015, as well as taking charge of Indian side Delhi Dynamos.
His last role in coaching was as the assistant manager to Fabio Capello at Chinese club Jiansung FC from 2017 to 2018.
Gianluca Zambrotta’s career
A brief look at Zambrotta’s impressive playing career…
1994 – 1997: Como
1997 – 1999: Bari
1999 – 2006: Juventus
2006 – 2008: Barcelona
2008 – 2012: AC Milan
2013: FC Chiasso
CLUB STATS
- Matches played: 611
- Goals scored: 29
- Assists: 50
INTERNATIONAL STATS
- Matches played: 98
- Goals scored: 2
- Assists: 5
HONOURS
- 1 x FIFA World Cup (2006)
- 3 x Serie A Champion (2002, 2003, 2011)
- 3 x Italian Super Cup Winner (2003, 2004, 2012)
- 1 x Spanish Super Cup (2006)