Italy icon Andrea Pirlo says retirement is still a ‘very distant’ prospect, as he discusses his career with the Azzurri.
At 35, the Juventus midfielder is well above his team's average age of 29, but nonetheless a starter for Italy's most successful club.
Asked by the Spanish publication ABC if he intends to extend his career even further, his answer was direct.
“Of course, there's enough Pirlo to go for a while,” he said. “I still have a few years of football ahead.
Italy icon Andrea Pirlo says retirement is still a ‘very distant’ prospect, as he discusses his career with the Azzurri.
At 35, the Juventus midfielder is well above his team's average age of 29, but nonetheless a starter for Italy's most successful club.
Asked by the Spanish publication ABC if he intends to extend his career even further, his answer was direct.
“Of course, there's enough Pirlo to go for a while,” he said. “I still have a few years of football ahead.
“I still love this sport the way I did when I was 15. When I wake up one day and that's no longer the case, I'll retire.
“But that moment is still very distant.”
Pirlo announced international retirement after last summer's World Cup in Brazil, but went back on his decision thanks to the current Azzurri Coach.
“Antonio Conte called me and asked me if I would be willing to lend my country a hand for Euro 2016. And he convinced me.
“In 2006 we had an unrepeatable generation and that year's World Cup was our moment.”
The Juventus midfielder was also asked whether the extra-time period against Germany in 2006 could be called the most beautiful thirty minutes in the history of the Italian national team.
“Yes,” he answered. “We won a World Cup semi-final against the home team, who were the great favourites – in Dortmund, with 70,000 Germans on the stands and two goals in the last few minutes of an exceptional extra-time.
“That was an outstanding exploit.
“As for the final of Euro 2012 – well, I don't remember that one!” he joked, in reference to Italy's 4-0 defeat at the hands of Spain.
“We were very tired, but that's no excuse. Spain came out like a storm and they snatched the title in great fashion.”
Finally, the former Milan star revealed a personal record that he is fond of breaking.
“I have 25 dead-ball goals in Serie A, three less than [current Sampdoria Coach Sinisa] Mihajlovic, who holds the record at 28.
“I hope to overtake him. Scoring from a free-kick is something special.
“I learnt by watching Juninho Pernambucano, whom I still view as the best in the role.
“If I had to keep only one goal from my career, I'd go with the free-kick against Mexico in the Confederations Cup played in Brazil.”