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Andrea Pirlo has announced his retirement – and refused to rule out joining Antonio Conte's coaching staff at Chelsea.

The former Italy midfielder, 38, will play his final game for the New York City at the end of the MLS season and return to Europe.

"You realise that the time has come," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Every day you have physical problems, you are no longer able to train as you would like because you always have some problem.

"At my age you have to say enough. It is not as if you can keep going till you are 50. I will do something else.

(Image: AFP) (Image: Getty)

“My future, I don't know yet. I will will return to Italy in December.

"An assistant to Conte? People are saying that. I have my ideas but I need time to decide.”

(Image: USA Today Sports via Reuters) (Image: Getty)

The 2006 World Cup winner worked with Conte at Juventus and Italy. “One of his 20-minute video sessions is worth three days of training,” Pirlo said.

“You quickly understand what you have to do. He has improved over the years and with his will to win, he always gives everything. He is one of the best.”