MONTREAL – Italian soccer great Alessandro Nesta didn’t need to be dragged away from the soccer pitch.
The 37-year-old defender officially retired after the Montreal Impact was eliminated from the Major League Soccer playoffs, although he missed the 3-0 loss in Houston last week with an injury.
Joining his teammates at a season-ending news conference on Wednesday was perhaps his last act as a player.
"I’m very happy because my body is tired," said Nesta. "I think it’s time to finish.
"Twenty years at a high level — I was lucky. I won a lot of trophies. And this is the perfect time to say ‘stop.’ I’ll start a new life with my family, another job. I don’t know."
Nesta got a standing ovation as he was feted before the Impact’s final home game of the season Oct. 19. He left late in the 2-1 win over Philadelphia with a calf injury. He had earlier announced that the 2013 campaign would be his last.
