Updated

Former Italy defender Alessandro Nesta will leave AC Milan after the season, and could continue his career in Major League Soccer.

The 36-year-old Nesta won the World Cup with Italy in 2006 and helped AC Milan win a pair of Champions League titles, but acknowledged Thursday "I just can't play any longer as often as I did the past."

Nesta was offered the chance to remain with Milan for one more year, but said, "I prefer to move where football is less frenetic." He did not disclose where he would continue his career, but it will be "on the other side of the ocean."

He started his club career with Lazio and played with the club from 1993-2002, and then spent 10 years in Milan after joining the club 2002. But with Milan a club that regularly competes in European and domestic cup play, Nesta admitted he could no longer play so much.

"I took this decision after spending ten wonderful years with this great club where I had the chance to meet fantastic people and win many trophies," Nesta said.

Nesta played 78 times for Italy from 1996-2006.