Alessandro Nesta has revealed that Lazio never took up the chance on signing the player as they felt he was too old.
The 39-year-old began his career with the Aquile before moving to Milan in 2002, and was linked with a move back to his boyhood club, but they rejected the prospect.
“There wasn’t any contact with the club [Lazio], there was talk [of a return] earlier, but that was just paper talk,” he told the Corriere della Sport.
“I would have loved to go back, but the club didn’t want me. They said I was too old.
“Then I won the second Champions League with Milan [in 2007]. Things went well, and I have no regrets.”
Looking at his decision not to return to Lazio before hanging up his boots at the end of the 2013 with MLS side Montreal Impact.
“I knew that I wasn’t right,” he went on, “and it would not be right to go back to a club that I had been to before just to end my career.
“It wouldn’t have been fair to the fans. I wouldn’t have hit the heights expected of a romantic return.”
Looking at Lazio’s form this season, Stefano Pioli has the Biancocelesti challenging for second place in Serie A, and Nesta feels the 49-year-old tactician deserves plaudits.
“I hope Lazio get second place, that coming from a fan and a sportsman who appreciates Pioli’s work,” the former centre-back said.
“It will still be hard, as there are so many games yet to play.
“Roma and Napoli have dangerous players, so it won’t be easy”
Nesta made a total of 261 appearances for Lazio, and over 300 for Milan in a career that spanned 21 seasons.
