Earlier this month, former Newcastle United fullback Davide Santon announced his retirement from football at the age of 31, after struggling with recurring knee injuries.
The Italian spent four seasons at the Tyneside club between 2011 and 2015, after they signed him from Inter Milan.
Santon joined Newcastle a year after he won the treble with the Nerazzurri during the 2009/10 season. The defender started his career under the orders of José Mourinho at the San Siro and also played his final season under the Portuguese tactician at AS Roma last term.
Tuttosport have published a detailed interview with Santon, where he admitted playing injured with Italy’s U21 has cost him his career.
When asked about his first injury blow, he said: “That remains my biggest regret. At 18 you are very naive, without experience. If that situation had happened later, I would have said: ‘I can’t do it’.
“But then it wasn’t like that. I had the intervention of an opponent, I heard ‘crack’. At half-time the coach and the others wanted me to continue.
“And so, it was. From a small thing, it became huge. If I had stopped it would have been different.”
Santon was a regular for Newcastle during his first three seasons at St James’ Park. In his final campaign with the Magpies, a serious knee injury forced him to spend the majority of the time away from the pitch.
The Italian admitted the time spent at Newcastle and his first spell at Inter have been the best moments of his career. 
“At Inter, with all the victories obtained with the Nerazzurri. The Nerazzurri gave me everything, on an emotional level they will always remain in my heart,” he explained.
“But the most carefree time I experienced was at Newcastle: I was great physically and mentally. It is no coincidence that for three years in a row I made more than thirty appearances per season. For a player, England is the best of the best.”
