Playmaker Andrea Pirlo was recalled by Italy at the age of 35 on Monday, less than four months after playing what was widely thought to be his final game for his country.

The 2006 World Cup winner, who missed the opening month of the Serie A season with a hip injury, was called up by coach Antonio Conte after forward Giacomo Bonaventura pulled out with a thigh injury, the Italian federation (FIGC) said.

Pirlo said last year that he would quit international soccer following the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where Italy's campaign ended with a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay in its final group stage match.