Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has revealed that a knee problem, including an episode that left the joint swollen for three days, played a major role in his decision to retire from professional football.Wanyama played in Sweden, Belgium, Scotland and Canada during a career that spanned nearly two decades. In England, he turned out for Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, becoming the first and only Kenyan to play in the English Premier League.##NAJAVA_MECA_10010062##The defensive midfielder, who brought his playing career to an end earlier this year, said he was still enjoying football but eventually realised he could no longer put his body through the demands of professional football.The 35-year-old said the turning point came after joining Scottish side Dunfermline following his spell in Major League Soccer with CF Montréal.“I came back from the MLS (Vic was at Montreal, 2020-2024), went to Dunfermline and I remember I really pushed myself in a game; my knee was swollen for three days. I just knew. I thought, ‘I can’t keep beating myself up like this’,” Wanyama said in an interview with Spurs Media.Nairobi United close in on Harambee Stars forwardThe former Tottenham and Southampton midfielder said retiring was difficult because football had been his life, but he eventually accepted that it was time to prioritise his health and spend more time with his children.“Football… it's been my life, you know, and it was not easy (to retire), but my knee couldn't take it anymore. I was still enjoying it, and every time I stepped on the pitch, I made sure I did everything and had no regrets. I knew it was time, though,” he added.“It was time to let the knee rest and live a bit for my kids at home.”Since retiring, Wanyama has been spending considerable time in Kenya, where he has been spotted attending local matches and occasionally coaching young footballers.McCarthy on why it will be difficult for Harambee Stars to win 2027 AFCON