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FOOTBALL MANAGER legend and real-life Portsmouth icon Andres D'Alessandro has retired from the game at the age of 41.

Once dubbed the 'new Diego Maradona' by the man himself, the midfielder never quite lived up to the hype.

Andres D'Alessandro waves to the fans after retiring from the game aged 41
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Andres D'Alessandro waves to the fans after retiring from the game aged 41Credit: Reuters

But, in an emotional farewell with his family present, the playmaker turned out for Brazilian side Internacional in his final game - managing to score against Fortaleza.

After the game, he received a standing ovation from supporters at a packed Beira-Rio and received tributes from team mates who lofted him in the air.

It was a fitting send off for the once top talent, who was visibly moved after the game.

Like Maradona, D'Alessandro was predominantly left-footed and small in stature.

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With quick feet he was a first class dribbler, however he failed to reach the heights of his predecessor.

D'Alessandro began his career at River Plate, before he moved to Europe to further his career.

He failed to hit the heights at Wolfsburg, but became a cult hero at Fratton Park where he played during a loan spell with Portsmouth in 2006.

D'Alessandro tried his hand in Spain at Zaragoza, before returning to South America with Internacional, where he would play his best football.

For the Brazilian outfit, he would appear 490 times, scoring 90 goals.

There, he would win six Brazilian league titles, as well as a Copa Libertadores in 2010.

Internationally, D'Alessandro would earn 25 caps for his country - scoring three goals.

His greatest moment in the famous stripes of Argentina came in 2004, when he won a gold medal at the Olympics.

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