KEY POINTS:
A back injury prompted Ross Aloisi to announce his retirement from soccer yesterday after he led the Wellington Phoenix in their inaugural season in the A-League.
He said he was advised by medical experts that he would be risking permanent injury if he continued to train or play.
The ongoing problem, caused by a bulging disc, also affects his calf and forced him to miss a number of games last season.
"I've got a serious back injury, I'm risking permanent damage to my body if I continue to play or train," he said yesterday.
After an 18-year professional career in Australia, New Zealand and Europe, Aloisi, a former Australian Olympics team member, will return home to Adelaide and rejoin a family business.
"It's scary to think I'll be doing an 7am to 5.30pm job after 18 years playing football."
Aloisi, 34, was one of the Phoenix's first signings after he captained Adelaide United to the A-League title and then to the grand final in the 2006-07 season.
He was dumped as captain by Adelaide after he was sent off in their 6-0 loss to Melbourne in the 2006-2007 final and coach John Kosmina also left the club.
"It is very hard because that's all I've done pretty much all of my life - play football," he said.
"No one ever wants to end their career but unfortunately due to injury - I've got three bulging discs and a problem with a fractured vertebra - I get a lot of pain in my feet and heels and my legs go numb."
Aloisi, a popular face in Wellington and one of the fans' favourites, said he could have played for another two seasons.
"I sat down with Ricki Herbert [coach] and chief executive Tony Pignata. They asked me what I wanted to do and I told them I wasn't 100 per cent sure. I knew I had the injury but I wasn't sure how bad it was and I was hoping I could recover.
"When it became clear I wouldn't come right, I talked to Ricki and Tony again and told them I wouldn't be able to play.
"I didn't really want to face the facts that I couldn't play any more, but on doctor's orders ... "
The club's owner Terry Serepisos said Aloisi proved to be an exceptional leader for the club.
"Ross has been great inspiration for the club and for a lot of children. He was our first choice as far as having a captain."
Pignata said the players would miss Aloisi.
- NZPA
* ROSS ALOISI
Born: April 17, 1973, Adelaide
Weight: 78 kg
Height: 1.78m
Position: Central midfielder
Led Adelaide to A-League premiers in 2006, led Adelaide to grand final in 2007, Wellington Phoenix in 2007.
Played 60 games.
Representative honours: 1994-99 Australia (5 matches)