Ex-Italy international Cassano takes U-turn, announces retirement

Rome [Italy], July 25 (ANI): Backtracking on his words after initially declaring his intention to continue his playing career, former Italian player Antonio Cassano has announced his retirement, just few days after signing for Serie A side Hellas Verona. The 35-year-old, who signed a deal with Hellas Verona on July 10, had firstly said that he would be leaving Hellas but not retiring. However, he has now reversed his decision within a matter of hours. Cassano's wife Carolina Marcialis had earlier tweeted on his behalf, "I'm not going to leave football, I simply don't feel I can continue with Hellas Verona..." "Physically I'm really good, as I've shown in the last 15 days of training, but mentally I don't feel stimulated to continue at this club!," he added. However, Cassano later reversed course and clarified that he had retired. "My wife Carolina miswrote this. The truth is that I'm retiring. I won't play football anymore. I apologise to everyone at Hellas Verona club - chairman, coach, players. I'm 35 now, and my priority is to stay closer to my wife and kids," Cassano said. Cassano, who scored for Italy during Euro 2004 and Euro 2012, started his career at his hometown club Bari before spending time with Roma, where he smashed 39 goals in 118 appearances. Subsequently, he had an unsuccessful season at Real Madrid before spells at Sampdoria, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Parma among other clubs.(ANI)