Rome - Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedved is set to bid farewell to football in late May, regardless of his side's achievements this season.

The Czech veteran made his announcement late Wednesday after the Champions League game that the Turin side lost 1-0 away to Chelsea.

"I'm still enjoying playing, but considering my physical and mental condition I understand that the time has come to make way for younger players - they deserve to play," the UEFA web site quoted Nedved as saying.

"Maybe you think I'm still young but I'm almost 37. I will quit at the end of the season, no matter how well we do in the Champions League or Serie A. The decision is final and I don't think I will change my mind - I don't need to. It is the right time to quit."

Nedved has played at Juve since 2001, after five seasons at Rome-side Lazio, who curiously will play the last Serie A game of the season in Turin on March 31.

He played 91 games, scoring 18 goals with his national team. In Italy, he won one Serie A title with Lazio and two with Juve. (dpa)