So, are Italy's Golden Oldies about to get both more golden and more oldie?

The question is prompted by the intriguing possibility that 33-year-old AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta, who last played for Italy during the 2006 World Cup in Germany, may return to play for the reigning World Champions in South Africa this summer.

Lippi pays Nesta a visit

The thing is that Italy coach Marcello Lippi has been doing the rounds recently. Like a Roman pontiff, he has set out on a series of "pastoral" visits to his World Cup flock, visiting them at their Serie A clubs.

Intriguingly, Lippi's first stop was Milanello, home of AC Milan. Even more intriguing was the fact that Lippi sat down for lunch at Milanello in the company of Germany heroes Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Gianluca Zambrotta and Nesta, no less. Later, Lippi's luncheon companions confirmed that the Italy coach had indeed invited Nesta to come out of a self-imposed international retirement which last saw him play for Italy in their 2-0 first-round win over the Czech Republic in 2006.

Lippi's reasons for expressing such a strong interest in Nesta are obvious. For many years, Nesta, at his best, has been just about the most complete central defender in Italian football.  Right now, after missing out on almost the entire 2008-09 season because of a serious back problem, which in the end required surgery, Nesta seems to be back to his very best.

With an eye on South Africa, the temptation to take Nesta along is more than understandable.  After all, Lippi's 36-year-old captain Fabio Cannavaro could occasionally do with a helping hand, not to say some "cover", in central defence. Then, too, if either of the current first choice central defenders, Cannavaro and Giorgio Chiellini, were to get injured, there are not many quality players with which to replace them.

Until now, Nesta has appeared reluctant to come out of his "retirement". Firstly, he argued that he had to concentrate on re-finding full fitness and his best form. Now that this goal seems to have been achieved, he points out that it would hardly be fair for him, who has been missing since June 2006, to take the place of a squad player who played throughout the World Cup qualifiers.

"Pontiff" Lippi has tried to reassure him on these ethical considerations, pointing out that the senators in the World Cup squad all want him back in the team. Captain Cannavaro has been one of the most enthusiastic promoters of the Nesta cause, contacting the Milan man on behalf of coach Lippi.

Zambrotta, one of those at Lippi's Milanello luncheon table, spelt it out loud and clear when talking to the media later that same day. Not only did he confirm that Lippi and Nesta had talked about the possibility of the ex-Lazio man returning for Italy but he also said:

"Given the way Alessandro is playing at the moment, his terrific form, it would be a real shame not to have him in the team. I know he has scruples about this but he should understand that everybody wishes him well. He shouldn't create problems for himself about this, his return to the team would be welcomed by everybody"

What about Cannavaro?

The idea of Nesta returning for Italy does, however, prompt one "heretical" thought for Pontiff Lippi to consider. You could argue, on the basis of current Serie A form, that the two best Italian central defenders of the moment are Chiellini and Nesta. So where does that leave captain Cannavaro? Time will tell.

In the meantime, Lippi's "pastoral" visits have not met with universal approval. Inter Milan boss Massimo Moratti complained that in the week of the Milan derby, Lippi had stopped at Milanello but not at the Inter centre of La Pinetina at Appiano Gentile.

He said: "Our Italian players were disappointed...It's true that we have only a few Italians in the squad but we still felt that he had rather snubbed us..."

The point was underlined by Inter captain, Argentine Javier Zanetti, who pointed out that players like Mario Balotelli and Davide Santon, not to mention 2006 World Champion Marco Materazzi merited a "visit", pastoral or otherwise. Perhaps, further down the road, Lippi will rectify this minor diplomatic incident and visit La Pinetina.

What is true, however, is that he began his visits with two clubs, which provide a consistent slice of his squad, namely AC Milan and Juventus. Further visits to places such as AS Roma, Fiorentina and Udinese will doubtless follow, with the Roma visit prompting more speculation about the return of yet another Golden Oldie, Francesco Totti.