Pavel Nedved to Retire from Football
Career Profile of the Czech Republic's Most Succesful Player
Pavel Nedved's professional career started in his native Czech Republic when he was 19. In 1991 he made his debut for Dukla Prague but only stayed for one season before joining the country's biggest side, Sparta Prague.
His four-year spell at Sparta saw him win three league titles, and his form earned him his first international call up for the Czech Republic national team in 1994.
Nedved Move to Lazio
After starring for his country at the European Championships in 1996, Nedved's form attracted the attention of many big clubs across Europe. After nearly joining PSV, he decided Italian giants Lazio would be his best option and signed for the Serie A side in the summer of '96.
Nedved soon became a crowd favourite as trophies began to rack up. In the '97-'98 season he helped Lazio clinch the Italian Cup before winning the Italian Super Cup and UEFA Cup the following year.
The '99-'00 season however, was to be his most successful with Lazio. After winning the season opening European Super Cup, his side went on to win both the domestic league and cup trophies.
After another impressive international tournament (Euro 2000), Nedved was soon a wanted man again.
Replacing Zidane at Juventus
2001 saw another big transfer for Nedved. Up in Turin, Italy's most famous team, Juventus, had just sold Zinedine Zidane to Real Madrid for a world record £48 million. The 'Old Lady' of Italian football decided that Nedved would be a perfect replacement and shelled out £30.6 million to acquire his services.
It would prove to be money well spent as Juventus went on to win the league title in Nedved's first season ('01-'02). Another league championship followed the next season as Juventus aimed to dominate Europe.
In 2003, Nedved helped his side to the Champions League final where they were defeated by fellow Italians AC Milan on penalties. Unfortunatly for the Czech star, he was suspended for the final and thus, missed out on playing in European football's most prestigious match
Despite missing the final, Nedved's talents were recognized when he was awarded the Ballon D'or trophy to proclaim him Europe's best player.
Nedved Juventus in Serie B
In 2005, Nedved's career fell on hard times. After club president Luciano Moggi was found guilty of corruption, Juventus were demoted to Serie B for their part in the Calciopoli scandal.
Staying loyal to his club, Nedved turned down the chance to leave and helped Juve win the league and take back their rightful place in Italy's top division.
Nedved to Retire in Summer 2009
With his club Juventus currently sitting second in the league, and still involved in the Champions League, Nedved will be looking to add another two trophies to his cabinet before hanging up his boots in the summer.
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