Following the conclusion of the 2014 World Cup, Andrea Pirlo announced his plans to retire from playing at the international scene but even at his 35 years of age, Pirlo is one of the most influential and key figures not only for his club Juventus but also for Italy.

The head coach of Italy, Antonio Conte decided to have a meeting with Pirlo and somehow managed to convince the experienced midfielder on staying with the Italian team for a few more years.

When Pirlo was asked in an interview about the possibility of retiring, the Italian midfielder responded by saying: “Of course, there’s enough Pirlo to go for a while. 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. 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.”

Andrea Pirlo’s decision to continue playing for a few more years is a sigh of relief for many supporters of the Italian national side as there still has not been any other player that can replace him.

Marco Verratti of PSG is being viewed as the player that can fill in the void and gap that will be left when Pirlo does decide to hang up his boots and retire but the 22 year old Italian midfielder of PSG needs a few more years before he can start snatching a consistent spot in the starting lineup of Antonio Conte.

Antonio Conte has already stated on a number of occasions that Verratti has what it takes to turn into a huge figure for the Italian national side but he needs time and patience.

“With two world class players like Pirlo and De Rossi ahead of him, a young man like him must have patience. He can be the man of the present and also the man of the future.” Italy’s Antonio Conte said.