Italian playmaker Andrea Pirlo has said he intends to continue playing for the national side despite hinting after the World Cup that at 35 years old it was time for him to step aside.

"I have been talking with (new Italy coach Antonio) Conte who asked me if I was ready to play again for the Azzurri and I told him that I was," the Juventus star told Gazzetta TV.

"It was a difficult decision to take. I had wanted to stop playing for the national side but he (Conte) took over and he asked me to lend a hand.

" I am happy to do that and we are hopeful we can achieve great things together."