Former Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo has announced his retirement from football after playing his last game for New York City.
The 38-year-old won 116 caps for Italy and helped them win the 2006 World Cup.
Pirlo began his career at Brescia and also played for Inter, AC Milan and Juventus before joining the Major League Soccer side two years ago.
“Not only [is it that] my adventure in New York comes to an end but my journey as a football player as well,” he said.
In a statement posted on his Twitter account, “I would like to take the opportunity to thank my family and my children for the support and love they always give me, every team that I had the honour to play for, every team-mate I have been pleased to play alongside, all the people that made my career so incredible, and last but not least, all the fans around the world that always showed me support.
“You will always be on my side and in my heart.”
