Antonio Di Natale hopes to continue playing career

Udinese captain Antonio Di Natale has said that he hopes to continue his playing career.

The 36-year-old previously announced that he would be retiring at the end of the season and scored a hat-trick to earn his side a 3-3 draw against Sampdoria on Saturday evening.

He has now scored six goals in his last three games and has admitted that his good recent form has made him reconsider his future.

"I am having fun, now I want to go on vacation with my wife after two charity games," Di Natale told Sky Sport Italia. "It's a shame the season is ending now, as I am in good physical shape and enjoying myself, but we'll see, I'll try to continue. I hope to continue.

"At the start the whole team struggled to do what we'd been able to in three years together, but I got 17 goals in the end. I hope we can continue together, as the coach gave us so much and he loves the city. It's a decision he has to make. "I've been here for 10 years and have a great rapport with the fans. I've given them everything, they have given me everything and we hope to continue."

Di Natale is the seventh-highest goalscorer in Serie A history with 193 strikes.