After 22 years in professional football, Brazilian defender Lucio finally retires from football at the age of 41, as he last played for Brazilian Serie D side, Brasiliense.<\/p>\n
The centre-back believes he has reached the time to spend more time with his family, though he hopes to remain involved in football.<\/p>\n
“It’s a special day for me. Today, I’m finishing my career as a professional footballer,” Lucio told Globo Esporte.<\/p>\n
“I’m very proud and grateful … to everybody who has directly or indirectly supported me over the years.”<\/p>\n
Lucio began his at Brazilian outfit Internacional before joining Bundesliga side, Bayer Leverkusen in 2001, the year he scored in Champions League final despite losing 2-1 to Real Madrid.<\/p>\n
He then joined Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich which he won eight trophies including three Bundesliga titles.<\/p>\n
But he suffered defeat in Champions League quarter-final, this time against AC Milan who eventually won the title in 2007.<\/p>\n
Lucio finally won the Champions League trophy when he joined Inter Milan in 2009, which is part of treble as they also won Serie A and Coppa Italia.<\/p>\n
Perhaps, he was best known in a Brazil shirt as he helped the team won 2002 World Cup final, earning 105 caps and captained Seleccao from 2006 until 2011.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"