You can’t go on forever: Andrea Pirlo announces retirement

Andrea Pirlo will resign on December 31 when his contract with New York City FC ends. (Source: Twitter)

Andrea Pirlo on Sunday announced retirement from football once his contract with New York City FC expires. The 38-year-old’s contract comes to an end at the end of the year in December.

The former AC Milan, Juventus and Italy star believes that the time is now right to bring an end to the playing career. “You realise that the time has come,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Every day you have physical problems, you cannot train as you want because you always have some problem.”

“At my age, that’s enough. It’s not that you can go on forever until the age of 50. I’ll do something else. At 38, it’s just right to give young players room. I’m not angry. Instead, I will give a hand to team-mates and to the coach.”

“I’ll do something else, I’ll be back in Italy in December,” he said. “Work with Conte? They say things, I have some ideas, but give me time to decide.”

Pirlo has won six Serie A titles and two Champions Leagues at club level and played a crucial role in Italy’s 2006 World Cup lifting campaign. He was the man of the match in three matches including the final against France.