Marcello Lippi admits he hopes to entice AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta out of international retirement.
Milan defender could make international U-turn ahead of World Cup
Italy boss Marcello Lippi admits he hopes to entice AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta out of international retirement.
The 33-year-old centre-half retired from the Italy squad after being part of the World Cup winning group of 2006, but a fourth appearance on the world stage is not yet out of the question.
With Nesta returning to top form with his club this season, Lippi is considering him for his squad for South Africa in which they have been drawn in Group F along with New Zealand, Slovakia and Paraguay.
The former Lazio defender has endured a bad run of luck in football's biggest tournament, suffering injuries during World Cup 1998 and 2002, and Lippi admits a degree of sentiment when considering his recall.
"He is in credit with the national team because he was injured at two World Cups. It would be great," Lippi told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"I've talked with him and during the week we'll talk again. We'll see."
Nesta gathered 78 international caps during a 10-year spell with the Azzuri after making his debut against Moldova in October 1996 and could be named in Lippi's squad to face Cameroon in a friendly next week.
