Udinese midfielder Bruno Fernandes has urged Antonio di Natale to rethink his retirement decision.

The striker intends to hang up the boots at the end of this season.

"His decision to leave football came at a difficult moment for the team," Fernandes told the agency Lusa.

"Now however things are going well and I hope he will reconsider. I would like to see him back out there on the pitch next season. It's strange to think he might leave at the end of the season.

"Losing a player of his class and quality really would be a blow.

"With his experience his is an important reference point for us players.

"He helps us and gives us advice. Even when I wasn't playing much he helped me learn how to shoot and helped me study goalkeepers' positions."