Pirlo could miss World Cup

Published Jun. 4, 2010 6:45 p.m. ET

foxsports

Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo is resting at home following an injury that could force him to miss the World Cup in South Africa.

The AC Milan midfielder injured his left calf muscle in the friendly loss to Mexico on Wednesday and will now sit out the friendly against Switzerland on Saturday.

"Pirlo's is an injury that worries me, but luckily we have time," Italy team doctor Enrico Castellacci told ANSA News Agency. "Everybody reacts in a different way and Pirlo will be monitored day by day."

The Italian Football Federation says Pirlo will travel with the team to South Africa and continue to be evaluated ahead of Italy's first match of the tournament, against Paraguay on June 14.

Doctor Castellacci also said such injuries take 15 to 20 days to heal, meaning that Pirlo could be back in time for Italy's second group match, against New Zealand on June 20.

All teams have up to 24 hours before their first match to replace a squad member.

Pirlo was man of the match in the 2006 World Cup final and took a penalty in the shoot-out victory over France. He also scored Italy's first goal of the tournament, in the 2-0 victory over Ghana.