According to reports, Zambrotta, who played for Barcelona from 2006 to 2008 and won the 2006 World Cup with Italy, discussed his condition—Genu Varum—on the Bsmt podcast hosted by Gianluca Gattsoli. His bowed legs have recently gained attention on social media.

Genu Varum, also known as bow-leggedness, is a knee deformity where the legs curve outward. Zambrotta said: “During my professional football career, I didn’t have any major injuries. I had three internal meniscus surgeries. Now, I have no meniscus in either knee, and over time, my legs have become bow-legged. Today, I’m practically a lab model for many surgeons.”

The 48-year-old retired footballer, who hung up his boots in 2014, admitted: “Doctors see me and ask how I can even walk. In a few years, I’ll need a full knee replacement. The problem has worsened over time due to genetic factors and the absence of an internal meniscus. Maybe I should have sought treatment earlier.”

Zambrotta announced he will undergo surgery to permanently fix the issue: “Soon, I’ll have surgery on both knees. I’ve consulted three or four top surgeons in the country, and none can explain how I have such knees or how I can still play sports like paddle tennis.”

The former Italian footballer will undergo osteotomy—a surgical technique where parts of the bone are cut to reshape it. Zambrotta said: “I need an osteotomy. Essentially, they’ll straighten my legs by cutting small pieces of bone above and below the knee and placing plates to delay a full knee replacement, though I’ll need that in a few years.”