Pirlo to retire after World Cup

Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo revealed that he would retire from the national outfit after the 2014 World Cup and could become a coach.

Pirlo was speaking his mind at the presentation of his new autobiography and he said in the book that he will quit from the Azzurri after the next year's World Cup in Brazil, at which point he'll be 35-years-old, reports Xinhua.

"We have to leave space for the youngsters to come through. At club level I will continue playing as long as I feel the desire, passion and the sense I am still important to the team. If any of those elements are missing, I'll be the first to step back," said Pirlo.

He hinted that he could go into management inspired by Juventus head coach Antonio Conte.

"He has given me so much on a tactical level and really surprised me. If one day I become a coach, I will take Conte as my inspiration. I am not the right age nor do I have the right desire to do that now, so I am focused only on playing," he said.