Conti reflects on injury ordeals, time at Milan and ‘disagreement’ with Pioli

Andrea Conti has made the decision to retire from football after a long ordeal with injuries, and he reflected on his time at AC Milan.

Back in 2017 Conti was on top of the world. He had an impressive season with Atalanta under Gian Piero Gasperini, earned a big move to Milan, made his debut at San Siro and with the senior national team, and seemed to be on an upward trajectory.

That was until the rupture of the cruciate ligament he suffered in September, after a handful of games with the Rossoneri. It would prove to be the beginning of the end because that ligament that cracked twice in nine months, becoming the toughest opponent to face and at the same time his biggest enemy.

Conti spent the last eight seasons dragged by the fear of getting hurt again, held back by the thought of not playing. Now, at 31, after a season as a free agent, he chose to say enough and he spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about his decision.

Have you really decided to quit?

“I’m exhausted, I’ve been struggling with physical problems, injuries and disappointments for years. I’ve been a free agent for a year and in the last three I’ve played just nine games. You have to be aware of your situation, I can’t take it anymore and this will be my final decision.”