Andrea Pirlo says he will end his playing career once his contract at New York City FC expires.
The former Juventus, Milan and Italy icon has been with the Major League Soccer side since 2015 but has been plagued by injury problems this season.
As such, he feels the ‘moment has arrived’ to hang up his boots.
And with the American season set to conclude at the end of the calendar year, 38-year-old Pirlo believes it is the right time to move onto pastures new.
Andrea Pirlo says he will end his playing career once his contract at New York City FC expires.
The former Juventus, Milan and Italy icon has been with the Major League Soccer side since 2015 but has been plagued by injury problems this season.
As such, he feels the ‘moment has arrived’ to hang up his boots.
And with the American season set to conclude at the end of the calendar year, 38-year-old Pirlo believes it is the right time to move onto pastures new.
“You realise by yourself that the moment has arrived,” the World Cup winner told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Every day you have physical problems. You can’t train how you would like because you always have an issue.
"The younger players should play. At 38-years-old, it is right to give space to the younger boys.
"I'm not angry. Instead, I'll give a hand to the Coach and the others.
“At my age, you have to say that’s enough. You can’t keep on going strong until you are fifty. I will do something else.
Pirlo admitted that he still doesn’t know what he will do next.
“I still don’t know. I will go back to Italy in December.
“I have some ideas, but I will give myself some time in order to decide.”
The midfield maestro has seen many of his former club and international teammates make the step into coaching.
However, he admits that for him, the ‘spark’ needed to be a boss has still yet to be lit.
“It isn’t a given that if you’ve been a good player, you can be a good Coach.
“You need to be dedicated and have knowledge of the pitch.
“There is a spark that need to be lit, and for me it still hasn’t been lit yet.”