Gianluca Zambrotta (foto: Instagram)
Italian legend Gianluca Zambrotta will undergo surgery to correct severe knee deformities after revealing he suffers from genu varum and may soon need a prosthesis.
Gianluca Zambrotta, one of the standout full-backs of his generation and a 2006 World Cup winner with Italy, has opened up about the serious health issues he's been battling since retiring from professional football.
In an interview on the BSTM podcast hosted by Gianluca Gazzoli, the now 48-year-old former Juventus, Barcelona, and AC Milan defender revealed that he suffers from genu varum, a condition that causes the legs to curve outward — commonly referred to as bow-leggedness.
"During my career, I never had major injuries. I underwent three medial meniscus operations, but now I have no menisci left in either knee," Zambrotta said. "Over time, my legs became deformed. Today, I'm practically a lab model for many surgeons."
Zambrotta noted that his condition has deteriorated gradually, accelerated by both genetics and the total loss of meniscal cushioning. Doctors, he says, are baffled.
"They’re amazed I can even walk," he admitted. "But in a few years, I’ll definitely need a prosthetic."
Despite the discomfort, Zambrotta has remained active — still playing sports like padel and tennis, something even leading orthopaedic surgeons in Italy find difficult to explain. In an effort to delay full knee replacements, he has now opted for osteotomy surgery.
'They will cut my bones'
Zambrotta explained that he will soon undergo surgery on both knees, in a procedure that involves cutting and reshaping parts of the bone to correct alignment and ease pressure on the joints.
"Essentially, they’ll cut small pieces of bone above and below the knee, insert plates, and realign the legs. The aim is to delay a full knee replacement for as long as possible," he said.
Zambrotta, who earned 98 caps for Italy, was admired for his incredible versatility, excelling as both a left and right full-back and even as a winger. His stamina, tactical intelligence, and consistency made him one of Italy’s most reliable players during the 2000s.
While his playing career brought him glory, including Serie A titles and a Champions League final, his post-retirement life has been far from pain-free.