He played 800 matches and is a legend in Italy, now he is retiring from soccer

One of the things that has characterized Italian football is the loyalty of fans to their teams, and this loyalty extends to the players as well. Italian Serie A is one of the best leagues in the world, and for many people in the Mediterranean country, it represents a way of life that is reflected in their traditions and everything that football brings socially.

When we talk about idols, we can take the case of Diego Armando Maradona, who became a legend at Napoli, followed by Paolo Maldini at AC Milan, and finally, Javier Zanetti at Inter Milan.

However, Zanetti is not the only idol who has come to the city of Milan to stay; several other names join the list, including goalkeeper Samir Handanovic. The 39-year-old Slovenian did not renew his contract with the Nerazzurri and became a free agent this summer.

Nevertheless, despite the club's decision not to renew his contract, it seems that there is a reason for this, as the player is expected to announce his retirement very soon. As reported by Di Marzio, the goalkeeper will announce tomorrow, along with Marco Materazzi, his decision to hang up his gloves and close a career full of successes.

Handanovic's Legacy

Following Mauro Icardi's departure to Paris Saint-Germain, the goalkeeper served as the captain during the time he was still considered for the starting squad. After several years in Serie A, it was in the 2012-2013 season that the Milan team signed the player from Udinese. Since then, 11 years later, the player has played 437 matches, starting in 329 of them. Among his achievements with the Italian team, there is 1 Serie A title, 2 Coppa Italia, and 2 Supercoppa Italiana titles. Without a doubt, it's the farewell of a legend. Throughout his career, Handanovic consistently delivered outstanding performances, making crucial saves and securing victories for his team. His role as a goalkeeper was pivotal in Inter Milan's Serie A triumph in the 2020-2021 season, ending Juventus' nine-year reign as champions. His retirement will undoubtedly leave a void in Inter Milan's squad and in the hearts of their supporters.