Schalke 04 centre-back Christoph Metzelder has announced his retirement from football at the age of 32.
The former Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid star will now become a pundit for Sky Sports in Germany.
Metzelder has been plagued by injury for most of his career and admitted that his body is no longer able to cope with the rigours of the game.
"I am just being honest with myself and I feel that I am no longer physically able to play consistently at this level," he told the club's official website.
"And after 13 years, the fire inside me, which is necessary for this job, has burnt out.
"I look back with gratitude on a fantastic career. When I look back, I see nothing which could have gone any better. Even the injuries were part of my story."
Metzelder won 47 caps for Germany.
Written by
Michael Penkman
Michael Penkman
