MELBOURNE, Australia - Midfielder Vince Grella, who represented Australia at two World Cups and played for Blackburn Rovers and Parma in a 17-year professional career, has retired from football after a battle with injury.

The 33-year-old Grella announced his retirement on Tuesday, two days after suffering a calf injury in his first match for his final club, the Melbourne Heart in Australia's A-League.

Grella said "after 17 years of professional football, my body has told me it's enough."

Grella played for Australia at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups during a 46-match international career. He played for Parma, Empoli and Torino in Italy's Serie A and made 38 appearances for Blackburn until 2012.

© Copyright 2013