Veteran playmaker Andrea Pirlo announced yesterday that he will continue to play for Italy.

The 35-year-old Juventus player admitted that he had considered retiring from international duty after the Azzurri’s disappointing group-stage exit from the World Cup in Brazil.

“I have been talking with (new Italy coach Antonio) Conte who asked me if I was ready to play again for the Azzurri and I told him that I was,” Pirlo said.

“It was a difficult decision to take. I had wanted to stop playing for the national side but he (Conte) took over and he asked me to lend a hand.

“I am happy to do that and we are hopeful we can achieve great things together.”

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