Riccardo Montolivo has said that the possibility of Andrea Pirlo not playing for Italy at Euro 2016 is "hard to imagine".
Veteran midfielder Pirlo announced his retirement from international football after last year's World Cup, but has since reversed his decision.
Pirlo has now been left out of the national squad for the games against Belgium and Romania despite making three appearances for the Azzuri this year, and despite manager Antonio Conte also admitting that he may not take the 36-year-old to Euro 2016, Montolivo says that he cannot envisage a competitive Italy without the former Juventus star.
"It's hard to imagine a national team without him, particularly given he has led us in recent years," the AC Milan midfielder told reporters. "The decision is for the coach to make, and he must decide what is best for Italy.
"Andrea is football and we hope that he is still part of this squad. If he isn't part of this group then it isn't because of a lack of quality. I've been in the team with him previously, so I don't see myself as an alternative."
Pirlo has 116 caps for Italy, along with 13 goals.
Miles Jolliffe
