Roma full-back Federico Balzaretti has revealed that he may be forced to retire unless his long-term pelvis injury subsides.
The Italy international, 32, has been out of action since last November as he battles chronic pain in the pelvic region.
Operations in the United States and Germany have both proven futile, and Balzaretti concedes that retirement is now a possibility.
"I wanted to hold this press conference to give you the latest on my injury and explain what I'm going through," he told reporters. "The issue came up around 10 months ago - I felt pain in my pelvis after the Torino game. As I'd never experienced anything like that, I just thought the pain would pass and I played the following game against Sassuolo.
"At the end of the match I had to stop and we noticed the injury to my pelvis. We tried an operation in the United States but it didn't produce great results. Then we tried a number of other things in Germany.
"This injury prevents me from doing even the most basic things on the field - every time I kick the ball it flares up. Sadly, this pain might end my career, but I want to say that I'll do everything I can to get back out there. I still feel like a footballer and I will try to get over this injury."
Balzaretti, whose contract expires next summer, joined Roma from Palermo in 2012 and has since made 38 appearances for the Giallorossi.
Shane Callaghan
