World Cup winner, 48, needs prosthetics due to rare condition that has doctors baffled

Italy legend Gianluca Zambrotta has revealed that he will need to have his legs straightened and prosthetic knees made due to a rare medical condition. Zambrotta won the World Cup with Italy in 2006, as well as three Serie A titles with Juve and AC Milan, but has struggled physically since calling it a day.

The former full-back made 98 appearances for Italy and enjoyed a 20-year playing career which also took him to . He managed to avoid serious injuries during his time as a professional, yet has encountered health problems in recent years.

The 48-year-old has bow legs, which is also known by the medical term Genu varum, a disease that sees legs curve outwards into a bow shape from the knees. It is more common in children, but has been causing Zambrotta problems in recent years – and baffling medical professionals.

“Over time, my legs have become bowed,” he explained on the BSMT podcast. “During my career, I didn't have any major injuries. I've had three operations on my internal menisci (cartilage inside the knee).

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“Currently, I don't have them on either the left or the right, so over time, my legs have become bowed and today, I'm a laboratory model for many surgeons."

Much to doctors’ surprise, Zambrotta is still able to walk but admitted: “In a few years, I will have to wear a full prosthesis.” That procedure would see a surgeon remove the damaged parts of his knees and replace them with artificial replacements made of metal and plastic.

“The problem has worsened over time, due to both some genetic exposure and the lack of internal menisci,” he explained. “And so perhaps I should have started working on it earlier. I will soon have surgery on both knees.

“I have visited three or four leading surgeons nationwide, and they can't explain to me how I can have these knees or how I can engage in physical activities like padel tennis, for example.”

He added: “I'll have to have an osteotomy. Basically, they'll straighten my legs by cutting small pieces of bone above and below and inserting plates to try to avoid having to get a full prosthesis now, although I'll have to get one in a few years.”

Zambrotta was a dependable performer for Italy during a successful period for the national team. He helped the side reach the final of Euro 2000 and was selected as part of the team of the tournament when the Azzurri triumphed in the 2006 World Cup.

After starting his career with Como and Bari, he spent seven years with , where he won two Serie A titles and reached the final of the . He moved on to Barcelona, before winning another Serie A title with AC Milan.

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