Former World Cup-winner Daniele De Rossi set to call time on glittering career after injury-plagued stint at Boca Juniors

Buenos Aires: Daniele De Rossi, the Italian midfielder who joined Boca Juniors last year after a career spent at AS Roma, announced his retirement from the game on Monday and said he will return home to spend more time with his family. [caption id=“attachment_7071481” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Daniele De Rossi. Reuters[/caption] De Rossi, who won the World Cup with Italy in 2006, surprised colleagues and fans alike when he moved to Buenos Aires in July to play for a club he said he had always admired. However, he was dogged by injury and made only seven appearances for the Argentine giants and scored one goal. The 36-year old told reporters he would take some time off before studying to become either a coach or director. “I feel the need to get closer to my daughter and my family,” he said. “There’s nothing else behind this.”