Monday 6 July 2015 17:28, UK
As Andrea Pirlo’s move to MLS franchise New York City FC is confirmed, we pay tribute to an astonishing career which has already spanned 20 years at the top.
Two decades after making his Serie A debut as a 16-year-old at Brescia, Andrea Pirlo has embarked on the final chapter of a remarkable career.
Pirlo, one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, joins fellow veterans Frank Lampard and David Villa at New York City FC. That trio of Champions League winners have a combined age of 106 and bring a wealth of experience to the recently-formed MLS franchise.
The move brings a new challenge for the 36-year-old Pirlo, whose first big move came when he left Brescia for Inter Milan in 1998.
It has not always been a breeze for this famously cool midfield maestro, however. For all his early promise, Pirlo was unable to win a permanent place in Inter’s starting XI and was loaned out to Reggina and former club Brescia.
It was back at Brescia in the same team as Italy legend Roberto Baggio that Pirlo first showed his class in the deep-lying playmaker role he has come to personify. But Inter were willing to let him go in 2001, and neighbours AC Milan were the benefactors.
Pirlo won two Serie A titles, two Champions Leagues and a Coppa Italia during a glittering 10-year spell with the Rossoneri, during which he also became a World Cup winner with Italy. But, like Inter, they too would regret their decision to him go.
The classy pass-master went from strength to strength with Juventus after making the move from Milan in 2011. Pirlo emphatically returned to his best after an injury-hit end to his time at Milan, winning four consecutive Serie A titles and reaching last year’s Champions League final.
His tears after the final whistle against Barcelona in Berlin hinted at his impending departure, and after weeks of speculation his move across the Atlantic has finally been rubber-stamped.
Pirlo has earned no shortage of plaudits from team-mates, managers and rivals alike over the years, and here is a selection of the best.
Quotes
Roberto Baggio: “Andrea has demonstrated all his great talent and worth. When we played together, everything started with him. He always had the great gift of being able to visualise and anticipate plays before everyone else. His vision, what he can do with the ball, and what he’s able to create, make him a true superstar. Andrea has something which you don’t see very often.”
Massimo Moratti (former Inter president on selling Pirlo to Milan in 2001): "The biggest regret I have had in my career as Inter president was selling Pirlo to Milan. It was my decision to give him away and this was clearly a big mistake."
Gianluigi Buffon (after Pirlo’s move to Juventus in 2011): “When Andrea told me that he was joining us, the first thing I thought was: 'God exists'. A player of his level and ability, not to mention that he was free, I think it was the signing of the century!”
Marcello Lippi (former Italy manager): “Pirlo is a silent leader. He speaks with his feet.”
Xavi: “A footballer in capital letters, spectacular. There is no player in the world right now that shares Pirlo’s talent. We played at all levels before finally meeting as professionals, when he was playing for Italy, Milan and now Juventus. I have always been a fan and admirer of Pirlo.”
Zbigniew Boniek (Juventus player 1982-85): “To pass the ball to Andrea Pirlo is like to hide it in a safe.”
Carlo Ancelotti (on Pirlo’s Panenka penalty against England at Euro 2012): "Did you see what Pirlo did? Only a genius has this intuition. Andrea is immense and there are no other adjectives to add."
Paul Pogba (Juventus team-mate): “Pirlo's got feet of gold. To strike the ball the way he does, I'm going to need many years of practice yet. If only I could kick the ball like him."
Daniele De Rossi (Italy team-mate): "Pirlo has touched my soul because we played with each other for over 10 years. He is an example and he deserves all the respect he gets."
Antonio Conte (Juventus manager 2011-14, now Italy manager): "I am honoured to have coached Andrea. From the moment I became coach of the national team, I have always said that Pirlo can be a very important member in the squad. He can be an integral member in the dressing room.”
David Villa (on Pirlo’s arrival at NYCFC): “He is a legend. A very important player for football, and also any footballer. I congratulate him on his successful career."
And some from the man himself…
“I like to think of myself as a director, on the pitch and in life.”
“I strike dead balls alla Pirlo. Each shot bears my name and they're all my children.”
“I thought about quitting because, after Istanbul, nothing made sense any more. The 2005 Champions League final simply suffocated me.... We’d invented a new disease with multiple symptoms: 'Istanbul syndrome'. I no longer felt like a player, and that was devastating enough. But even worse, I no longer felt like a man.”
“I don’t feel pressure… I don’t give a toss about it. I spent the afternoon of Sunday, 9 July, 2006 in Berlin sleeping and playing the PlayStation. In the evening, I went out and won the World Cup.”
“People who don’t know me think I’m so serious. I’m a prankster, I like to have fun with the people who know me better.”
“I have been wanting this experience for a long time and now that the opportunity materialized I wanted to take it. (New York City FC) is a club on the rise and shares my same hunger to achieve important results in the League. I am hoping to win.”
“I hope to play for as long as possible but I don’t just want to be tolerated in the team. When I realise it’s over, it will be over.”
...But if history tells us anything, it’s that Pirlo should never be written off. Age has been no object to him in the past, and the 36-year-old has plenty left to offer in the MLS.
Follow Andrea Pirlo's MLS adventure live on Sky Sports throughout July and August
