Pirlo still wants to play for Italy, says coach

KIEV, UKRAINE – JULY 01: Andrea Pirlo of Italy with the ball during the UEFA EURO 2012 final match between Spain and Italy at the Olympic Stadium on July 1, 2012 in Kiev, Ukraine.

Rome, Oct 6 – Italy head coach Cesare Prandelli insists that Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo wants to continue his international service for the national football team.

There have been rumours that the midfielder would quit the international scene so as to concentrate on his club career given that he is now 33, reports Xinhua.

However, speaking to an Italian sports TV channel Friday, Prandelli said that the playmaker is still a key part of his project.

“Andrea is the only guy who needs to make a decision on what he wants to do in the future,” he said.

“I had a conversation with him recently and he still feels like he wants to be a reference point for this blue shirt.

“He wants to get to the 2014 World Cup finals and he’ll still be an important player for us,” he said.