Torino Balzaretti began his playing career at the age of 6 for hometown club
Torino, playing in the various
youth teams. He soon gained a reputation as an athletic
wing-back with enormous potential, and was soon loaned out to provincial sides
Varese and
Siena between 1999 and 2002. "It was a hard decision," Balzaretti said. which have, ever since, booed and insulted him whenever he returns to Turin. In 2005–06 he was part of the first team for the
bianconeri, often playing as regular under orders of coach
Fabio Capello, and finally winning the Serie A league. His first ever senior goal came on 17 February 2007, in
Serie B, as Juventus beat
Crotone 5–0.
Fiorentina and Palermo Balzaretti was sold to
Fiorentina in July 2007 for €3.8 million fee, but failed to adjust with the
Viola as he made only six appearances in the first half of the
Serie A 2007-08, and was subsequently signed by
Palermo on a -year contract in a permanent move (loan with an option to buy according to financial report) during the January transfer market, also for €3.8 million (€1.27 million for loan plus €2.53 million). At Palermo, Balzaretti took the #42 jersey as a homage to his father, who was born in 1942; in his tenure with the Sicilian side, he immediately established himself as a mainstay, playing regularly for the
rosanero also in the following seasons and establishing as one of the most praised Italian left backs. In January 2010, Balzaretti signed a new -year contract.
Roma On 1 August 2012, Balzaretti signed a three-year contract with
Roma, for a fee of €4.5 million. He made his debut in a 2–2 draw against
Catania, during the
2012–13 season. He scored his first goal for Roma in the
Derby della capitale match against
Lazio, on 22 September 2013; Roma won the game 2–0. During his
second season at the club, however, Balzaretti suffered a severe case of
athletic pubalgia following Roma's match against
Sassuolo, on 10 November 2013, which threatened to end his career; due to the pain in his pelvis, he had to undergo several operations. He finally returned to the pitch on the final match of the
2014–15 season, in a 2–1 home defeat to his former club Palermo, on 31 May 2015.
Retirement On 12 August 2015, Balzaretti declared his retirement from professional football. He stated that failing to fully recover from the hip injury that he had battled with for the past two years was the reason for him to quit for good at the age of 33. The following is taken from Balzaretti's public statement: ==International career==