Andrea Pirlo considering Italy retirement?

Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo is reportedly considering international retirement once the World Cup is over.

The Juventus star turned 35 last month and is thinking of calling time on his long-running career with the Azzurri, according to The Mirror.

A defeat to Uruguay against on Tuesday would eliminate Cesare Prandelli's team from the Brazil tournament and could signal the end of Pirlo's international stint, but the Juve star is treating the final group game as though it was a cup final.

He said: "The matches in the World Cup are equally important, and the decisive match even more so.

"So this match is comparable to a semi-final or a final and we are either in or we are out. So we feel the same tension and enthusiasm as we would in those situations."

Pirlo, who made his Italy debut in 2002, won the World Cup in 2006.