Milan centre-back Alessandro Nesta believes it would be difficult for him to emulate Paolo Maldini and play until he is 40.
The 34-year-old has got back to his best in the last 12 months after a torrid few years with injuries.
Interviewed in La Gazzetta dello Sport, Nesta said: "I like playing and I would do it for the rest of my life. But I have been operated on 12 times and it seems difficult to me."
Now in his ninth year at Milan, the former Lazio captain gave his opinion of Leonardo's decision to coach Inter.
Milan centre-back Alessandro Nesta believes it would be difficult for him to emulate Paolo Maldini and play until he is 40.
The 34-year-old has got back to his best in the last 12 months after a torrid few years with injuries.
Interviewed in La Gazzetta dello Sport, Nesta said: "I like playing and I would do it for the rest of my life. But I have been operated on 12 times and it seems difficult to me."
Now in his ninth year at Milan, the former Lazio captain gave his opinion of Leonardo's decision to coach Inter.
"He did well. Inter call you once a lifetime. Everyone would have said 'yes'.
"Christian Vieri was an Inter talisman and he moved to Milan. It's happened to many others, the most recent being Ibrahimovic.
"It's the beauty of this city that lives football in the right way. On the contrary, one wouldn't be able to go out the house in Rome."
Finally, Nesta reacted to Milan's decision to sign Antonio Cassano from Sampdoria.
"I hope that he fits in well and enters in harmony with the group. We played the European Championship together in Portugal, but it's not as if we spent a lot of time together.
"Anyway, they say many things about Cassano, but I have no prejudices. I always wait to see and get to know a person.
"If he behaves well, he could maybe stay here for 10 years."