'Sad day' for Zaragoza's César
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Article summary
Real Zaragoza central defender César Jiménez has called an end to his playing career after four unsuccesful operations on a knee injury suffered in January 2005.
Article body
Real Zaragoza central defender César Jiménez has called an end to his playing career after four operations failed to clear up a knee injury suffered in January 2005.
'Still swollen'
Then 27, he took a blow to his knee when challenging the Real Madrid CF midfield player Luís Figo during a defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu. "I've tried everything, all I can, to carry on playing football," César said. "Today is a sad day. My knee is still swollen and painful even in daily life, but I'm proud to have played the few games that I have and reached this far." The 29-year-old joined Zaragoza from Madrid's reserves before stepping up to the first team after a two-year loan at UD Almería.