AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta has decided against coming out of international retirement for Italy.
Defender not coming out of retirement
AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta has decided against coming out of international retirement for Italy at this summer's World Cup finals
Nesta quit the international scene in 2007 as he wanted to focus on his club career after a number of injury problems.
Italy coach Marcello Lippi had wanted Nesta to come out of retirement to boost his squad ahead of the trip to South Africa.
However, the 33-year-old has opted to resist Lippi's overtures and the Italy coach respects the defender's decision.
"He told me, I think definitively, that he doesn't feel it," said Lippi.
"I'm sorry. I wanted to give a boost (to the team), but I respect his decision."
Call up
Lippi was also remaining coy on whether or not he would call up Brazlian-born striker Amauri once he receives an Italian passport.
The Juventus striker is keen to pledge his international allegiance to Italy and Lippi admits he will come into his thoughts once he officially becomes eligible.
"I'll talk about Amauri in a few days because only then will he become Italian," added Lippi.
"He'll be under observation like all the other Italians only when he becomes Italian."
