Alessandro Nesta hopes to improve football in China

Alessandro Nesta

Beijing, February 3 (IANS)

Veteran Italian football star Alessandro Nesta on Tuesday expressed his desire to improve China's standard in the sport after landing here to participate in a teenager training programme.

“I have played football for more than 20 years at a top level. I am delighted to have this platform, I hope I can bring Italian football elite to China,” the 2006 World Cup winning member said, reports Xinhua.

Nesta, formerly of Italian club AC Milan, also talked about the predicament that his former club now faced, and thought there was only a little chance for them to move up to the third place and march into the Champions League next season.

“Due to the entire economic condition of Europe, both of Inter Milan and AC Milan have surplus money to introduce good players, this is the root of the problem,” he said.

It is Nesta's second time to China, after winning the 2011 UEFA Super Cup with AC Milan in China's national stadium.

He also didn't play down the prospect of becoming a coach in China just like his former national teammate Fabio Cannavaro, he said, “Why not? Just call me.”

Nesta, tipped as one of the best defender in football's history, announced his retirement in 2013. He recently played for the Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League.