Amidst rumours that the Azzurri are attempting to convince Alessandro Nesta to reconsider his international retirement, the AC Milan defender reacted in a negative fashion...

Alessandro Nesta emphatically ruled out a stop-gap return to the Italian national side, even in the face of a serious injury to Marco Materazzi that will keep the Inter star on the sidelines as the Azzurri take on France.

Nesta said, "I have already spoken about the national team, and don't have anything else to say. Don't you [journalists] have something else to ask?"

The AC Milan defender continued, "I don't see why the press persist with this... I've already said that I won't return to the national team, and I will not do so."

Many thought that Nesta could be persuaded to don the blue shirt once more following the declar ... Read more »

With Marco Materazzi and Fabio Cannavaro injured, will Italy convince Alessandro Nesta to come out of international retirement?

The Azzurri are facing a crisis ahead of the most important game in Coach Roberto Donadoni’s career so far, the September 8 Euro 2008 qualifier against France at San Siro.

Materazzi is certainly ruled out after suffering a freak thigh injury during Wednesday’s 3-1 friendly in Hungary that almost ended his career.

Now captain Cannavaro is also in doubt, as he picked up a nasty knock during training with Real Madrid and has been left with a suspected sprained ankle.

The situation in defence is increasingly tense and the alternatives for the central roles are lacking in international experience for such a crucial match.

With this in mind, a newspaper campaign is mounting to bring Nesta back into the Italy fold, even if o ... Read more »

Milan

Date of Birth: 19/03/1976
Place of Birth: Roma
Nationality: Italy
Height: 187 cm.
Weight: 79 Kg.
Role: Defender
Jersey: 13

From Goal.com

Alessandro Nesta has followed in Francesco Totti’s footsteps and announced his retirement from international football.

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’ve always been so attached to the national jersey and playing for my country has been the best thing in my career,” he stated at a Press conference at Milanello.

“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 whi ... Read more »

Italy international Alessandro Nesta has signalled his intention to see out his career at AC Milan after putting pen to paper on a new contract.

The 31-year-old defender, who joined the Rossoneri from Lazio in 2002, has agreed terms on a deal that will keep him at the San Siro until June 2011.

Nesta has made just 14 Serie A appearances for Milan during an injury-hit season, but was part of the starting XI that overwhelmed Manchester United to reach the Champions League final earlier this month.

1)

2)

3)

AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta says Manchester City fans should be excited by the prospect of having Sven Goran Eriksson in charge at Eastlands.
Nesta, a pivotal member of Eriksson's Lazio team that won Serie A in 2000, said: "Eriksson is a different manager, but in a good way.

"He gave me the freedom to do the right thing and to work it out myself. You could also go to him with your problems. He has helped me a lot and been a very important person in my career.

"He has a different style and a different temperament to other coaches I have had,' he added. 'He took a step back and let me develop."

http://tribalfootball.com/

Italian football federation president Giancarlo Abete is hopefully that Sandro Nesta will return to the Italy squad. He said: 'It's normal after a World Cup but I hope that Alessandro Nesta returns because he was a protagonist then.'