Euro 2020 winner Ciro Immobile retires at 36

Italian striker Ciro Immobile, a key player in Italy's Euro 2020-winning squad, has announced his retirement at the age of 36, according to a video published on Friday. The prolific goalscorer, who scored 350 goals in 656 appearances for various clubs, expressed his emotions during the video, stating that retiring is a "very difficult moment" as it marks the end of one of the greatest periods of his life.

Immobile dedicated his career to the sport, loving every aspect of it, but acknowledged the necessity of honest self-evaluation regarding his current physical condition. He admitted that if he cannot perform at his best when in pain or during training, it becomes challenging for him to continue playing. Although the decision was not easy, as he valued the strong bond he formed with his teammates and family over the years, Immobile determined it was time to spend more quality time with his loved ones, who had supported him for 17 years.

The former Lazio and Paris FC player scored 207 goals in 340 matches for Lazio, becoming the club's all-time top scorer. Immobile also had stints at Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla, and Besiktas, and earned 57 caps for the Italian national team. After recovering from a serious thigh injury, he joined Paris FC in February with the intention of playing until the end of the season, but managed to score only two league goals for the newly promoted club, owned by the LVMH luxury brand family.