Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo says the day he hangs up his boots is still a long way off, even though he admits he was close to throwing in the towel a decade ago.
Pirlo, 35, was talked out of international retirement by Italy coach Antonio Conte following last summer's World Cup and he is now a key member of the Azzurri squad heading towards Euro 2016, when his current contract with Juve will have expired.
In an interview with Undici magazine, he reveals how he had to talk himself out of retiring after one of the most painful defeats of his career -- the 2005 UEFA Champions League final.
"It was after the defeat with AC Milan to Liverpool in Istanbul," Pirlo said. "For a few days, I really was convinced that it was over. I did not have the strength. I couldn't come to terms with it or explain what had happened."
A year later, Pirlo got his hands on the World Cup and he has since further established himself as one of the best players in his position, and one which still has a few years left at the top level.
"The day I leave football is still a long way off," Pirlo said, acknowledging also that he has a gift.
"I always knew I was good. I was better than the others. I was never worried about the pressures of being tipped to make it either. In fact, that gave me an even greater sense of responsibility. Knowing I was talented made me want to improve every day.
"It's my life; it's what I always wanted to do and want to do. It's been occupying my days for 20 years, in good and in bad, and it taught me my place on earth. I've learned lots, obviously -- the first thing being never to forget to be grateful. The second is not to bear grudges because in football luck does not exist.
"You can be lucky for a few years, but in the end your defects will emerge. The reality is different. People are watching you and those who know how to play will progress, while those who don't will remain in the lower levels."
Pirlo has enjoyed an illustrious career which he feels could be drawing to its conclusion at the right time.
The recent remarks from Lazio president Claudio Lotito that a club like Carpi do not deserve a place in Serie A have disgusted the midfielder.
"Lotito's words make me lose my will to play football," he added. "Football should be a game for everybody and the sides who make it to Serie A are the ones who deserve it the most. When you hear certain things, you do think how lucky you are to be reaching the end."