FLORENCE, Italy -- Andrea Pirlo may have played his last match for Italy.

Coach Antonio Conte did not call up the midfield maestro for upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Romania and indicated Monday that the absence could become permanent.

Conte says "if by March Pirlo doesn't give me the responses that I'm hoping for, I'll make my evaluations and consider that he might not be part of the national team anymore."

The 36-year-old Pirlo recently finished his first MLS season at New York City FC and there has been speculation that he could join Inter Milan during City's offseason.

Conte added "if Pirlo returns to Italy I would be very pleased. He could train properly and would still make an impact. My fear is that by staying away he could lose all that."