Former FC Barcelona defender Gabriel Milito announced his retirement from football on Tuesday, closing a career that spanned stints in Argentina and Spain. Milito signed for FC Barcelona from Zaragoza in 2007, and enjoyed a successful first season with the club. He suffered from a string of minor and major injuries in subsequent seasons and left the club in 2011 for Argentine outfit Independiente. In announcing his retirement Milito admitted that his “reasons were obvious: I was forcing it mentally and physically. The next season with Independiente was going to be difficult.”

Any of you have memories of Milito? If so, please share them in the comments.

Image: Pere Punti