Former Italian midfielder of Serie A's Juventus, Claudio Marchisio declared on Thursday to hang up his boots at the age of 33, one year younger than Cristiano Ronaldo who is still one of the best shooters in the world.

"I'd made a promise to the kid who dreamt to become a football player. I would have played until I had felt the marvel of the dream coming true by stepping into the pitch. In the past months my mind and my heart went through mixed feelings and I finally understood I wasn't fulfilling my promise anymore. There are times when it is right for the heart to prevail over the mind, that's why I prefer to stop.

I have no regrets, also thanks to my family that has taught me to eagerly look into the future.

So, thank you dream! You gave me courage, strength, success and, above all, joy!" Wrote Marchisio wrote on Instagram on Thursday.

Having grown up in Juventus' youth system, Marchisio spent 12 of the total 14 seasons in his career in the club. He stayed with the Old Lady even during the dark days in the Serie B and finally saw the dawn of victory. From 2011 to 2018, Marchisio helped Juventus win seven straight Serie A titles, four Coppa Italia championships and three Supercoppa Italiana trophies.

In his best days, Marchisio was compared by many to Juventus' former star Marco Tardelli. However, two horrible injuries, torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee in 2015 and torn ACL in his left knee in 2016, almost ruined his career.

Marchisio left Juventus in 2018 and signed a deal with Zenit Saint Petersburg of the Russian Premier League. After one season, he reached an agreement with the club over terminating his contract.