MADRID, Spain (AP) _ A Zaragoza player whose left knee was shattered in a tackle with Luis Figo two years ago has been forced to retire from the game.

Central defender Cesar Jimenez said he had no alternative after attempts to rebuild his knee joint proved fruitless.

``It's a very hard decision to take because I feel powerless and hurt. I've done all I can but now I have nothing left,'' the 29-year-old Jimenez was quoted by daily El Pais on Thursday.

Figo, playing for Real Madrid at the time, followed through on Jimenez with his boot up just after the defender had slid the ball away during a Spanish league game at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in January 2005.

Although his tackle provoked an outcry, the Portuguese midfielder didn't receive a card and the Spanish soccer federation decided not to punish him.

Figo, the 2001 world player of the year who now plays for Inter Milan, denied trying to hurt Jimenez and visited the player to apologize.

Jimenez, who has undergone four operations, made two appearances for Zaragoza nine months later before his knee gave way again.