Former Japan and Schalke defender Atsuto Uchida said Monday that not being able to give everything on the pitch due to a right knee injury for which he had an operation in 2015 led to his decision to retire.
"I've been playing not to injure myself all the time, and began to feel it was disrespectful to be standing next to teammates who were giving 100 percent," said the 32-year-old, who played the final game of his career in a 1-1 home draw for Kashima Antlers on Sunday against Gamba Osaka.
"I'm not thinking at all on what if I hadn't had the injury. I've pushed myself and got this far. This was my limit."