AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta has announced his international retirement.
The Milan stopper hasn't featured in the Azzurri's recent qualifiers and it has now been confirmed that the 31-year-old has played his last game for Italy.
"I'm very sorry, but I can't keep playing in all these games. If I want to keep myself at the top level I need to rest a bit."
Although the decision has only been announced today, it appears that Nesta had been preparing his exit for months.
"I missed a national game when I got married which I only allowed to happen because I knew my Azzurri adventure was over," he admitted.
"Perhaps I could have gone on longer, but my greatest regret is the last World Cup as it wasn't easy to watch my teammates triumph while I was sidelined with an injury."