ROME: Italian international fullback Federico Balzaretti announced on Wednesday he was retiring due to a long-standing groin injury. The injury kept the Roma defender off the field for a year and a half. “It was a difficult decision to take but I can’t continue playing if I’m not at 100 per cent,” said the 33-year-old. Blazaretti, who played 16 times for Italy, including at Euro 2012, will join Roma’s coaching staff. Having recovered from his injury, he managed to play Roma’s final match last season, enjoying 90 minutes against his former club Palermo.