Andrea Pirlo can play until he's 53, says former teammate Camoranesi

Andrea Pirlo is so good, and Italian football so poor, that his former Italy teammate Mauro Camoranesi says the midfielder can carry on playing until he's 53.

Pirlo, who is closing in on his 36th birthday, remains a key player for Juventus and Italy.

Camoranesi, who played the World Cup final with Pirlo in 2006, believes the finishing line for the maestro is not yet in sight, according to Football Italia.

“Sometimes I hear criticism against him and I laugh. Pirlo can never be a problem, he solves problems,” said Camoranesi.

“I was convinced that Pirlo could play until he’s 40, but given the current level of Italian football he can play until he’s 50 or 53. I don’t see anyone around with his quality or intelligence.