Gianluca Zambrotta has undergone a second surgical operation, necessary to further improve the arch-shaped deformity of his legs, a problem that has plagued him for years in his knees, due to the removal of both menisci. This problem, especially after retiring from playing football, has caused him great difficulties and has forced him to undergo surgical interventions. A topic that the former Juventus, Milan, Barcelona and national team footballer has returned to speak publicly about, appearing immediately after the latest operation on his right knee, after which he will need a long rehabilitation period, which has already begun.
Zambrotta has never wanted to address this issue publicly, except when it was unavoidable. During his career as a footballer, he did not suffer major injuries and played at very high levels until after the age of 35. The deformity was present even then, but it did not severely limit him. The situation worsened after his retirement from football, when the problem began to cause him serious difficulties even in walking. "My legs are a model for the surgeons' laboratory," he declared ironically after the first intervention, performed in November 2025.
The former footballer's legs before surgeries on both knees
He underwent an osteotomy, a procedure that reoriented the bone in his left leg to shift his body weight from the worn-out part of his knee to the healthy part. Then, a few days ago, he underwent a second procedure to further correct the angle of his legs, which form a bracket-like arch, and regenerate the damaged knee. To do this, incisions were made in the tibia and femur, before using a custom-made 3D-printed guide and the patient's own cells to promote tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation in the joint.
The new intervention has been successfully completed and will help former defender Zambrotta improve his overall posture, with great benefits for the entire body. He is expected to regain the ability to walk normally, significantly improving his quality of life after his sports career, which is also the period when this problem became more severe.
He has not suffered any serious injuries during his career, with the exception of the removal of both menisci. However, it was the passage of time and the wear and tear of the joints that caused this orthopedic deformity, which has become increasingly noticeable. The deformity was also present during his sports career, but it did not prevent him from completing a brilliant career, from which he retired at the age of 35. It did not prevent him from starting another sporting experience, playing padel.
The ultimate objective of this long and painful journey is not aesthetic, but functional: to preserve the former champion's natural articulation, to avoid the need to prematurely undergo the placement of complete artificial knee prostheses.
