In a summer which has seen the international retirements of Frank Lampard, Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso and Franck Ribery; Italian great Andrea Pirlo has announced that he will continue on with the Italian national team for another year.
The 35-year-old midfielder told Gazzetta TV that he had been considering retirement, but changed his mind following a conversation with Italian coach Antonio Conte.
“I have been talking with Conte who asked me if I was ready to play again for the Azzurri and I told him I was,” Pirlo told Gazzetta TV.
“It was a difficult decision to take. I had wanted to stop playing for the national side but he took over and asked me to lend a hand.”
“I am happy to do that and we are hopeful we can achieve great things together.”
Pirlo made his international debut in 2002 and has made 112 appearances while scoring 13 goals for the Azzurri. He was a member of the Italian side which defeated France in the 2006 World Cup. final in Germany.
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