[dukeofdavinci]

One more year for Ballotta Friday 11 April, 2008

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Lazio goalkeeper Marco Ballotta - Serie A’s oldest player - is refusing to hang up his gloves at the end of the season.

At the age of 44, Ballotta had been expected to make this campaign his last, but has been the Biancocelesti’s first choice between the posts due to the breakdown of Juan Pablo Carrizo’s transfer from River Plate.

Despite a few howlers, Ballotta’s 27th year in the game has been successful enough to convince the custodian to carry on.

“I will play for another year,” he revealed. “I was going to retire 10 years ago, but then I just carried on and carried on and it has proven to be the right choice.

“Every year I tell myself that this is the last season, but then I always keep going in the end. When I am finally forced to quit it will be a very sad moment for me.”

Ballotta won’t be expecting to play as regularly next term with a new shot-stopper almost certain to arrive and youngster Nestor Muslera reportedly growing in confidence.

channel4.com - Football Italia