Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo uncertain for World Cup with calf injury

Italy midfielder Pirlo has calf injury

MILAN — Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo is resting at home following a calf 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 exhibition against Switzerland on Saturday.

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 against Paraguay on June 14.

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