A shocking run of injuries has forced Adelaide United’s marquee player Paul Agostino into retirement.
Agostino, who joined the club in 2007, has been plagued by leg and foot problems during his time at Hindmarsh Stadium and has managed just five games this season. He hopes to play out the rest of the season before hanging up the boots after an 18-year professional career.
The 33-year-old was keen to play on but realised the physical demands of playing football were proving too much.
“I’m as eager as ever but just the body can’t really keep up with it anymore so I think it would be a good time to call it a day,” he said.
“I thought it would be hard but actually it was very easy because my body made the decision for me.”
“My dream always was to come back and play in my home town and I managed to do that, not as many games as I’d like, but the season is not over yet.”
“There are a few games left so I might be able to finish on a good note.”
His current tally of 15-games and four goals in the A-League don’t make for startling reading but the rest of his career would have other players feeling envious.
He played a couple of seasons in Switzerland, was at Bristol City from 1995 to 1997 before a 10-year stint at German club 1860 Munich.
He also played 20 times for Australia.
Agostino’s retirement comes just one week after fellow Red Michael Valkanis announced he’d be ending his long career at the end of the season.
But unlike Valkanis, who has already committed to a coaching role with United next year, Agostino is unsure what he’ll do in the future.
“It’s not really important right now. I think it’s important Adelaide stays right up there if we can on top. That’s my first goal and after that I mean who cares at the moment, the number priority is Adelaide United,” he said.
Coach Aurelio Vidmar empathised with Agostino’s situation.
“It doesn’t matter how your body is feeling or what you’ve done in your career, it’s always a very tough day when you have to announce you have to retire,” Vidmar said.
“There is always something inside of you thinking that you can continue to play.”
“He’s still very much part of the team’s plans to the end of the season and hopefully he might come on and score an important goal for us … you don’t know.”
Vidmar said the experienced striker would be leaving behind a ‘big legacy’ for the club.
“He’s come from a professional environment and he’s brought all that professionalism to this club and to this group in the changeroom,” he said.
“You’d be an absolute dummy if you haven’t listened to Paul Agostino and picked up any type of hints to improve your game.”
