Andrea Pirlo, Ufficiale OMRI[3][4] (born 19 May 1979), is an Italian professional footballer who plays

for Juventus and the Italian national team. Pirlo is a free-kick specialist, who is usually deployed
as a deep-lying playmaker in midfield for both Juventus and Italy, and he is regarded as a
leading exponent of this position due to his vision, ball control, and passing ability.[5]
Pirlo is the fourth-most capped player in the history of the Italian national team with 113 caps. He
has played for the Italian youth teams at U15, U18 and U21 level, captaining and leading the
latter to victory in the2000 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship as the Golden
Player and Top Scorer of the tournament. He joined the Italian senior side during the qualification
round for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and captained the national team to a bronze medal in
the 2004 Olympics. Later, he was instrumental in their victory in the 2006 FIFA World Cup,
finishing as the top assist provider. He was named man of the match three times, including
the final, more than any other player in the tournament, and ultimately won the Bronze Ball (third
best player in tournament) also being elected to be part of the Team of the Tournament. He was
also elected as part of the UEFA Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament, after leading Italy to
the final, winning three man of the match awards in the process, the most of any player along
with Andrs Iniesta. He has also represented Gli Azzurri at the 2004 and 2008 UEFA European
Championships, the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, and the 2009, and the 2013 FIFA
Confederations Cups, finishing third in the 2013 edition in Brazil, where he was elected part of
the Team of the Tournament.
With Milan, he won two UEFA Champions Leagues (2003 and 2007), two European Super
Cups (2003 and 2007), two Serie A titles (2004 and 2011), a FIFA Club World Cup (2007), and
a Coppa Italia (2003). After joining Juventus in 2011, he added three more Serie A titles
in 2012, 2013 and 2014. He came in third, second and fourth in IFFHS World Playmaker of the
Year awards in 2006, 2007 and 2012, respectively.[6][6] He also came in fourth in the 2012 UEFA
Best Player in Europe Award.[7] He placed 7th in the 2007 FIFA World Player, 5th in the 2007
Ballon d'Or and 7th in the 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or award. He was also named as part of the
2006 FIFPro World XI and the 2012 UEFA Team of the Year.[8] In 2012, Pirlo was also elected
as Serie A Footballer of the Year, and was named as part of the Serie A team of the Year.[9] In
2013, Bloombergranked him the fifth best player in Europe.[10]
Contents
[hide]

1 Club career
o 1.1 Early years
o 1.2 Milan
o 1.3 Juventus
2 International career
o 2.1 Under-21 and Olympic Career, senior team debut, and Euro 2004 under Trapattoni
o 2.2 2006 World Cup Cycle
o 2.3 Post World Cup
o 2.4 Euro 2012 Cycle
o 2.5 2013 Confederations Cup
o 2.6 2014 World Cup Cycle

o 2.7 Euro 2016 Cycle

3 Playing style
4 Personal life
5 Career statistics
o 5.1 Club
o 5.2 International
o 5.3 International goals
6 Honours
o 6.1 Club
o 6.2 International
o 6.3 Individual
o 6.4 Orders
7 Notes
8 References
9 External links

Club career[edit]
Early years[edit]
In 1995, at the age of 16, Pirlo made his debut for Brescia against Reggina.[11] After breaking into
the Brescia first team, Pirlo was spotted by Internazionale coach Mircea Lucescu, who signed the
playmaker. Pirlo was unable to break into the first squad, however, and Inter finished eighth in
the 199899 Serie A campaign. Inter loaned Pirlo to Reggina for the 19992000 season. After an
impressive season, he returned to Inter but was once again unable to break into the first team,
making just four league appearances and spent the second half of the season on loan at former
club, Brescia.

Milan[edit]

Pirlo warming up before a Milan game in 2007

After three seasons on the Inter books, Pirlo was sold to fierce rivals Milan for 33 billion Italian
lire (17,043,078)[12] on 30 June 2001, the last day of 200001 financial year.[13] The transfer fee
was partially funded by the movement ofDraen Brni in the opposite direction for an
undisclosed fee. In the same window Inter swapped Cristian Brocchi (25 billion lire;[14] 12.9
million) for Guly (undisclosed fee; 8.537 million profit)[15] and Matteo Bogani for Paolo Ginestra.

The deals were later reported by the Italian press to have been undertaken to create "false profit"
by inflating the players' values in the transfer fees in the swap deal. The exchange involving
Ginestra and Bogani created an approximate 3.5 million "profit" for both clubs, but this actually
manifested itself in terms of useless registration rights.[16][17]
It was at Milan where he made big strides in developing into a world class player, and one of the
best deep-lying playmakers and set-piece specialists in the world. With Milan, he won two Serie
A titles and was an integral part of the Rossoneri's midfield; they went on to win the Champions
League in both 2003 and 2007 (assisting Filippo Inzaghi's first goal) under coach Carlo Ancelotti,
and also reached the final in 2005. During this period, Milan also finished as runners up in Serie
A in the 200405 season and the 200506 season (before their 30-point deduction due to their
involvement in the 2006 Calciopoli scandal), as well as finishing second on penalties in the 2003
Supercoppa Italiana, in which Pirlo scored on a penalty in extra time and in the shootout. In the
200405 Champions League tournament, Pirlo finished as one of the second highest assist
providers with four assists.[18] He also won a Coppa Italia, aSupercoppa Italiana and two UEFA
Super Cups during his time with Milan between 2003 and 2007 (assisting Milan's second goal in
the 2007 final), as well as their first FIFA World Club Cup title in 2007, once again assisting
Milan's second goal. His most forgettable incident, however, was probably the penalty miss
during 2005 UEFA Champions League Final, as his spot kick was saved by Jerzy Dudek in their
shoot-out loss to Liverpool, after Liverpool had made a three goal comeback in the second half of
normal time.[19] He had previously, however, assisted Paolo Maldini's opening goal in the 2005
Champions League f

Andrea Pirlo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Andrea Pirlo

Pirlo playing for Juventus in 2012

Personal information
Full name

Andrea Pirlo[1]

Date of birth

19 May 1979 (age 35)

Place of birth

Flero, Brescia, Italy

Height

1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]

Playing position

Midfielder

Club information
Current team

Juventus

Number

21

Youth career
19941995

Brescia

Senior career*
Years

Team

Apps

(Gls)

19951998

Brescia

47

(6)

19982001

Internazionale

22

(0)

19992000

Reggina (loan)

28

(6)

2001

Brescia (loan)

10

(0)

20012011

Milan

284

(32)

2011

Juventus

103

(13)

113

(13)

National team
2002

Italy

Honours[show]
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league
only and correct as of 9 October 2014.

Appearances (Goals).
National team caps and goals correct as of 14 October 2014

Andrea Pirlo, Ufficiale OMRI[3][4] (born 19 May 1979), is an Italian professional footballer who plays
for Juventus and the Italian national team. Pirlo is a free-kick specialist, who is usually deployed
as a deep-lying playmaker in midfield for both Juventus and Italy, and he is regarded as a
leading exponent of this position due to his vision, ball control, and passing ability.[5]
Pirlo is the fourth-most capped player in the history of the Italian national team with 113 caps. He
has played for the Italian youth teams at U15, U18 and U21 level, captaining and leading the
latter to victory in the2000 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship as the Golden
Player and Top Scorer of the tournament. He joined the Italian senior side during the qualification
round for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and captained the national team to a bronze medal in
the 2004 Olympics. Later, he was instrumental in their victory in the 2006 FIFA World Cup,
finishing as the top assist provider. He was named man of the match three times, including
the final, more than any other player in the tournament, and ultimately won the Bronze Ball (third
best player in tournament) also being elected to be part of the Team of the Tournament. He was
also elected as part of the UEFA Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament, after leading Italy to
the final, winning three man of the match awards in the process, the most of any player along
with Andrs Iniesta. He has also represented Gli Azzurri at the 2004 and 2008 UEFA European
Championships, the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, and the 2009, and the 2013 FIFA
Confederations Cups, finishing third in the 2013 edition in Brazil, where he was elected part of
the Team of the Tournament.
With Milan, he won two UEFA Champions Leagues (2003 and 2007), two European Super
Cups (2003 and 2007), two Serie A titles (2004 and 2011), a FIFA Club World Cup (2007), and
a Coppa Italia (2003). After joining Juventus in 2011, he added three more Serie A titles
in 2012, 2013 and 2014. He came in third, second and fourth in IFFHS World Playmaker of the

Year awards in 2006, 2007 and 2012, respectively.[6][6] He also came in fourth in the 2012 UEFA
Best Player in Europe Award.[7] He placed 7th in the 2007 FIFA World Player, 5th in the 2007
Ballon d'Or and 7th in the 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or award. He was also named as part of the
2006 FIFPro World XI and the 2012 UEFA Team of the Year.[8] In 2012, Pirlo was also elected
as Serie A Footballer of the Year, and was named as part of the Serie A team of the Year.[9] In
2013, Bloombergranked him the fifth best player in Europe.[10]
Contents
[hide]

1 Club career
o 1.1 Early years
o 1.2 Milan
o 1.3 Juventus
2 International career
o 2.1 Under-21 and Olympic Career, senior team debut, and Euro 2004 under Trapattoni
o 2.2 2006 World Cup Cycle
o 2.3 Post World Cup
o 2.4 Euro 2012 Cycle
o 2.5 2013 Confederations Cup
o 2.6 2014 World Cup Cycle
o 2.7 Euro 2016 Cycle
3 Playing style
4 Personal life
5 Career statistics
o 5.1 Club
o 5.2 International
o 5.3 International goals
6 Honours
o 6.1 Club
o 6.2 International
o 6.3 Individual
o 6.4 Orders
7 Notes
8 References
9 External links

Club career[edit]
Early years[edit]
In 1995, at the age of 16, Pirlo made his debut for Brescia against Reggina.[11] After breaking into
the Brescia first team, Pirlo was spotted by Internazionale coach Mircea Lucescu, who signed the
playmaker. Pirlo was unable to break into the first squad, however, and Inter finished eighth in
the 199899 Serie A campaign. Inter loaned Pirlo to Reggina for the 19992000 season. After an
impressive season, he returned to Inter but was once again unable to break into the first team,
making just four league appearances and spent the second half of the season on loan at former
club, Brescia.

Milan[edit]

Pirlo warming up before a Milan game in 2007

After three seasons on the Inter books, Pirlo was sold to fierce rivals Milan for 33 billion Italian
lire (17,043,078)[12] on 30 June 2001, the last day of 200001 financial year.[13] The transfer fee
was partially funded by the movement ofDraen Brni in the opposite direction for an
undisclosed fee. In the same window Inter swapped Cristian Brocchi (25 billion lire;[14] 12.9
million) for Guly (undisclosed fee; 8.537 million profit)[15] and Matteo Bogani for Paolo Ginestra.
The deals were later reported by the Italian press to have been undertaken to create "false profit"
by inflating the players' values in the transfer fees in the swap deal. The exchange involving
Ginestra and Bogani created an approximate 3.5 million "profit" for both clubs, but this actually
manifested itself in terms of useless registration rights.[16][17]
It was at Milan where he made big strides in developing into a world class player, and one of the
best deep-lying playmakers and set-piece specialists in the world. With Milan, he won two Serie
A titles and was an integral part of the Rossoneri's midfield; they went on to win the Champions
League in both 2003 and 2007 (assisting Filippo Inzaghi's first goal) under coach Carlo Ancelotti,
and also reached the final in 2005. During this period, Milan also finished as runners up in Serie
A in the 200405 season and the 200506 season (before their 30-point deduction due to their
involvement in the 2006 Calciopoli scandal), as well as finishing second on penalties in the 2003
Supercoppa Italiana, in which Pirlo scored on a penalty in extra time and in the shootout. In the
200405 Champions League tournament, Pirlo finished as one of the second highest assist
providers with four assists.[18] He also won a Coppa Italia, aSupercoppa Italiana and two UEFA
Super Cups during his time with Milan between 2003 and 2007 (assisting Milan's second goal in
the 2007 final), as well as their first FIFA World Club Cup title in 2007, once again assisting
Milan's second goal. His most forgettable incident, however, was probably the penalty miss
during 2005 UEFA Champions League Final, as his spot kick was saved by Jerzy Dudek in their
shoot-out loss to Liverpool, after Liverpool had made a three goal comeback in the second half of
normal time.[19] He had previously, however, assisted Paolo Maldini's opening goal in the 2005
Champions League final, after 50 seconds, from a free-kick, and combined with Kak before the
Brazilian unleashed Hernn Crespo with a long pass for Milan's third goal before halftime.
Pirlo started his career as an offensive midfielder until coach Carlo Mazzone moved him to a
deep-seated playmaking role while at relegation fighters Brescia during the 20002001 Serie
A season, with Roberto Baggio in the attacking midfield role. A notable moment in his Brescia
career was his long pass which assisted Baggio's late equaliser against Juventus at the Stadio
delle Alpi, in 2001. Brescia would manage a seventh place finish that season, as well as
anIntertoto Cup final. Fatih Terim and Carlo Ancelotti further developed this role at Milan, to allow
Pirlo to play alongside other talented attacking midfielders, such as Rivaldo, Rui Costa and
eventually Kaka, replacing the gap left by Milan legend Demetrio Albertini in midfield. He would
form a formidable partnership with Gennaro Gattuso (as well as with Clarence
Seedorf and Massimo Ambrosini, who also defensively supported his playmaking role) in the
midfield and would be given the nickname the metronome for the way in which he set the team's

rhythm.[20] He led Serie A in the 200203 season in four categories passes played (2589), ball
possession (123 hours played and 39 minutes), successful balls (661), and successful passes
(2093); he averaged almost 90 passes per game. He led Milan in minutes played for the 2006
07 season with 2,782. In October 2007, he was nominated for the both the 2007 FIFA World
Player of the Year and the 2007 World's Best Playmaker Awards but they went to Milan
teammate Kak instead. After Kak and Ancelotti left Milan in the summer of
2009, Chelsea tested Milan's resolve by bidding $12 million and Claudio Pizarro for Pirlo. The
club rejected the offer and Pirlo was said to be contemplating a transfer request.[citation needed] On 5
August, club owner Silvio Berlusconi decided not to sell Pirlo, who said he was overjoyed and
wanted to end his career at Milan.[21] On 21 October 2009, Pirlo scored a notable 30-metre goal in
Milan's 32 win over Real Madrid.[22] Milan finished the 200809 season tied for second place
with Juventus in Serie A.
Milan played host to Genoa on 25 September 2010, with Pirlo providing a lifted ball over the top
of the defence to set striker Zlatan Ibrahimovi free to score the solitary goal of the game.[23] On 2
October, Pirlo scored a 40-yard goal against Parma to give Milan their first away win of
the 201011 season.[24] On 14 May 2011, Pirlo appeared in his last match for Milan, coming on
as a half-time substitute for Massimo Ambrosini as the club celebrated their Title with a 41
victory over Cagliari.[25] Four days later, Pirlo confirmed that he would be leaving Milan at the end
of the 201011 season, after a mutual decision not to renew his contract.[26] In his last season in
Milan, Pirlo appeared in the league just 17 times, notching just one goal and three assists.[27]

Juventus[edit]

Pirlo playing for Juventus in 2014

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!.
Gianluigi Buffon on Pirlo's transfer to Juventus in 2011.[28]
In 2011, Juventus signed Pirlo on a free transfer on a contract until 2014.[29] His debut with
Juventus was in a friendly match against Sporting Clube de Portugal, which they lost 21. His
first competitive match with La Vecchia Signorawas the Serie A opening match against Parma at
home and tallied two assists, for Stephan Lichtsteiner and Claudio Marchisio, in a 41
victory.[30] Antonio Conte played him alongside younger midfielders Marchisio and new
signingArturo Vidal in a three-man midfield. His first goal for Juventus was a free kick
against Catania on 18 February 2012 securing a 31 victory for the Bianconeri and put the club
back at the top of the Serie A table, above his former side Milan.[31] On 18 March, Pirlo scored in
a 50 demolition of Fiorentina and after the game dedicated the win to Fabrice Muamba, who
suffered a cardiac arrest playing for Bolton Wanderers during a match against Tottenham
Hotspurthe same day.[32][33]

He finished the season as a winner of the 201112 Serie A after helping Juve secure a 20
victory over Cagliari.[34] The midfield general also provided the most assists in the Serie A
season, with 13.[35] Pirlo also found the back of the net three times in the league as he was
named to the Serie A "Team of the Year" along with midfielder partner Arturo Vidal, proving that
he still has what it takes to cut it at the top level following his departure from Milan.[36] Pirlo and
Juventus also finished runners up to Napoli in the Coppa Italia final.[37] Pirlo's fine form in the
201112 season, in which he led Juventus to the league title, the Supercoppa
Italiana and Coppa Italia Final, as well as leading Italy to the final of Euro 2012, saw him
nominated for the 2012 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, in which he finished 4th.[7] He was
also elected to be part of the ESM 2012 Team of the Year and the 2012 UEFA Team of the Year.
Pirlo played in the 2012 Supercoppa Italiana in Beijing on 11 August 2012 against Napoli,
helping Juventus to a 42 win in extra time.[38] Pirlo curled in a free-kick to seal a 20 defeat
of Parma on the opening day of the new Serie A season. The goal caused much controversy, as
the Parma players protested that it had not gone over the line, and replays proved
inconclusive.[39] In the following league match against Udinese on 2 September, Pirlo helped to
win a penalty and assisted Sebastian Giovinco's second goal of the match as Juventus went on
to defeat the home side 41.[40] On 29 September, Pirlo opened the scoring when he dispatched
a trade mark free kick to send Juventus on their way to a 41 defeat ofRoma.[41] Pirlo was
nominated for the 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or, along with Juventus and Italy team mate Gianluigi
Buffon, following their performances throughout the calendar year.[42] Pirlo provided three assists
for Juventus during the Group Stage, helping them to top their group undefeated and advance to
the knockout stages for first time since the 200809 tournament.[43] Pirlo was also elected
as Serie A Footballer of the Year, as well as the best midfielder and Italian Footballer of the Year.
He was named as part of theSerie A team of the Year.[9] Pirlo also won the Pallone Azzurro,
given to the best player of the year in the Italian National Team,[44] as well as placing fourth in the
IFFHS World Playmaker of the Year.[45] Pirlo and Juventus retained their Serie A title that season.
Juventus were, however, eliminated by Bayern Munich in the Quarter finals of the UEFA
Champions League, and in the Semi finals of the Coppa Italia by Lazio; both of these teams were
the winners of these respective competitions.
Pirlo featured in Juventus's 40 win against Lazio in the 2013 Supercoppa Italiana, on 18 August
2013, at the Stadio Olimpico, in Rome. Pirlo helped to create Paul Pogba's opening goal in the
twenty-third minute of play.[46] Pirlo was the only Italian player to be nominated for the 2013 FIFA
Ballon d'Or, and was also nominated for the 2013 FIFPro World XI.[47] On 1 December, Pirlo
sustained a knee-ligament injury which would keep him off the field for over a month.[48] On 12
January 2014, Pirlo signed a new contract with Juventus, which will keep him at the club until
2016.[49] Juventus won their 30th league title that season with a record 102 points and 33
victories. This was also their third consecutive title since Andrea Pirlo's arrival. Juventus were
eliminated in the group stage of the Champion's League, however, but managed a semi-final
finish in the Europa League, losing out to Benfica, with Pirlo scoring the match winning goal from
a free kick in the round of 16 against Fiorentina.[50] Juventus also reached the quarter-finals of
the Coppa Italia, losing out to Roma. Pirlo was chosen to be part of the 201314 Europa League
Team of the Season, for his performances in the competition.[51]
On 11 June 2014, Pirlo signed a new contract keeping him at Juventus until 2016.[52] Pirlo made
his 100th league appearance for Juventus in a 32 home win over Roma on 5 October
2014.[53] On the 1st November, Pirlo scored Juventus's opening goal from a free kick in a 20 win
over Empoli, on their 117th anniversary; this was his 26th goal from a free kick in Serie A, putting
him two goals behind the all-time record holder, Sinia Mihajlovi.[54] On the 4th November, Pirlo
scored once again from a trademark, curling direct free-kick in a 32 home win
over Olympiakos in a group-stage Champions League fixture.[55] This was Pirlo's 100th
appearance in the UEFA Champions League, marking the occasion with his first Champions
League goal with Juventus.[56]

International career[edit]

Andrea Pirlo playing for Italy against England in quarter final of Euro 2012

Pirlo is a silent leader. He speaks with his feet.

Marcello Lippi[57]
To pass the ball to Andrea Pirlo is like to hide it in a safe.
Zbigniew Boniek[58]
Is he the best player of his generation? Not quite, but he is the most important.
Michael Cox[59]

Under-21 and Olympic Career, senior team debut, and Euro 2004 under
Trapattoni[edit]
Pirlo captained Italy to an Under-21 European Championship in 2000 (wearing the number 10
jersey and winning the awards for best player and top scorer) and to a semi-final finish in 2002.
Pirlo played for Italy at the 2000 Summer Olympics and helped the Azzurri to win the bronze
medal at the 2004 Olympics. With 46 matches and 16 goals, Pirlo is the record appearance
holder for the Italian U-21 side, and the second highest goal-scorer after Alberto Gilardino. Pirlo
made his Italy senior debut on the 7 September 2002 under Giovanni Trapattoni, at the age of 23
in a 20 win over Azerbaijan in a Euro 2004 qualifying match; he also appeared in a friendly
match against Turkey that year.[60]Pirlo scored his first goal for Italy from a free-kick in a 40 away
win in a friendly match against Tunisia.[61] His first major tournament with the Italian senior
team was UEFA Euro 2004 under Giovanni Trapattoni, where he made two appearances in
Italy's last two group matches: the first in a 11 draw against Sweden, and the second in a 21
win over Bulgaria. The Italian team was eliminated in the first round, on direct encounters,
following a three-way five point tie with Sweden and Denmark.

2006 World Cup Cycle[edit]

Under Trapattoni's replacement, Marcello Lippi, Pirlo became a key member of Italy's starting
line-up during their 2006 World Cup Qualifying campaign, and he was eventually called up as a
starting member of the Italian squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.[62] He had assured Italy's
participation in the tournament after scoring two free kicks in a World Cup
Qualifier against Scotland.[63]
In Italy's first match of the 2006 World Cup tournament, Pirlo scored the opening goal
against Ghana, and subsequently set up a goal for Vincenzo Iaquinta to seal a 20 victory, as
the midfielder was named Man of the Match.[64] In the second match, he set up a diving header

for Alberto Gilardino from a set piece which proved to be vital in the 11 draw against the United
States.[65]
In the semi-final against Germany, he assisted Fabio Grosso's opening goal in the dying minutes
of extra-time, and was again named Man of the Match, as Italy triumphed 20 over the
hosts.[66] In the final against France, his corner kick produced Marco Materazzi's equalizing
header ten minutes after France had opened the scoring with a Zinedine Zidane penalty. The
match went to a penalty shoot-out, in which he scored.[67][68] He was named Man of the Match for
a third time, and was voted third-best player of the tournament, winning the Bronze Ball and
finishing as the top assist provider along with team-mate Francesco Totti.[69] He was named as
part of the 2006 FIFPro XI and as part of the 2006 World Cup Team of the Tournament for his
performances.[70]

Post World Cup[edit]

On 17 June 2008, Pirlo netted a penalty as Italy defeated France 20, to send their rivals and
World Cup runners-up crashing out of the European Championships at the group stage.[71] Italy
lost on penalty kicks to eventual winners Spain in the quarterfinals, as Pirlo and Milan
teammate Gennaro Gattuso were suspended for the match.[72]
On 15 June 2009, Pirlo assisted Giuseppe Rossi's second goal in a 31 win in Italy's opening
match of the Confederations Cup against the USA.[73] Italy subsequently lost the following two
group matches against Egypt and Brazil, and were eliminated from the competition.
Pirlo was not able to play the first two games in the 2010 World Cup for Italy due to recent
injuries. He came off the bench for Italy late in the match on 24 June against Slovakia. Even with
his help in orchestrating a renewed Italian offense, Pirlo could not prevent Italy from being
knocked out of the first round.[74]

Euro 2012 Cycle[edit]

Coach Prandelli named Pirlo Vice-Captain of the Italian squad, behind Captain, Gianluigi Buffon.
Pirlo appeared in nine matches as Italy qualified undefeated for the European Championships in
Poland and Ukraine,[75] providing several assists, and netting one goal in Italy's 50 hammering of
minnows Faroe Islands on 7 September 2010.[76]
Because of his excellent performances in leading Juventus to becoming Italian champions, Italy
coach Cesare Prandelli included the playmaker in his 32-man provisional squad for the
Euros.[77][78] Pirlo provided the cutting ball from which Antonio di Natale scored the opening goal of
Italy's 11 draw with World and European champions Spain in the opening round of group play
on 10 June.[79] Pirlo then opened the scoring himself, scoring from a direct free-kick in their
second match against Croatia on 14 June.[80] In the final group match against Ireland, Pirlo set
up Antonio Cassano's goal from a corner kick to help Italy take a 10 lead.[81] Italy eventually won
20 and progressed to the knock-out stage of the tournament as runners-up in Group C.[82]
On 24 June, Pirlo produced a man-of-the-match performance against England as Italy won on
penalties 42 after the game had finished 00 in extra time.[83] Pirlo scored in the shoot-out with
an audacious chipped penalty down the centre of the goal, known as aPanenka.[84] Following the
match Pirlo spoke of his eloquent penalty, stating, "At the moment I saw the goalkeeper making
strange movements, so I waited for him to move and hit it like that... It was easier for me to chip it
at that stage. Maybe my effort put some pressure on England."[85][86]
In the semi-final round, on 28 June, Pirlo once again put up a man-of-the-match performance
against Germany, a match which Italy won 21.[87] Following Italy's success in the semifinals, a
match in which Pirlo helped Italy reach the final by starting the play which led to Balotelli's first
goal, Italy were defeated 40 against Spain in the final.
Pirlo won three Man of the Match Awards for Euro 2012, equal with Andrs Iniesta of Spain. Pirlo
was nominated for the Player of the Tournament Award, which ultimately went to Iniesta, and he
was also elected to be part of the team of the tournament.[88]

2013 Confederations Cup[edit]

Pirlo was selected for Italy's squad to play in Brazil at the 2013 Confederations Cup.[89] He won
his 100th cap on 16 June in Italy's opening game against Mexico, opening the scoring with a
trademark free kick as Italy downed El Tri 21, and Pirlo was voted man of the match.[90] In the
second group stage match against Japan, Pirlo assisted De Rossi's goal against from a corner.
The match ended 43 to Italy.[91] The win allowed Italy to progress to the semi-finals of the
competition. Pirlo did not play in the third group stage match against hosts Brazil, as he had
come down with a minor injury at the end of the second match, although he would be available to
play for the semi-finals.[92] Italy were defeated 42, which meant that they finished second in
group A, and would be playing the winners of group B, tournament favourites Spain, in a rematch
of the European Championship Final of the previous year. Italy held Spain to 00 draw, and the
match eventually went to penalties. Pirlo netted his penalty, but Bonucci's miss allowed Spain to
advance to the finals, as they won the shootout 76. Pirlo was injured for the third place final,
although Italy managed to defeat Uruguay 32 on penalties, after a 22 draw. Pirlo was named
as part of the team of the tournament and was nominated for the Golden Ball award, although he
failed to place amongst the top three players of the tournament, as the awards went
to Neymar, Iniesta and Paulinho, respectively.[93]

2014 World Cup Cycle[edit]

Pirlo scored one goal during Italy's qualification campaign for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which
saw them top their group, undefeated.[94] Pirlo converted a penalty as Italy dispatched Armenia by
a score of 31 on 12 October 2012, and assisted several goals during the World Cup qualifying
campaign.[95] On 5 June 2014, Pirlo was selected by Italy manager Cesare Prandelli as part of his
23-man squad for the World Cup in Brazil.[96] On 12 June, Pirlo announced that he would retire
from international football following the tournament.[97]
In the 2014 World Cup, Italy were placed in Group D, along with Costa
Rica, England and Uruguay, in what was called the "Group of Death".[98] On 14 June, in Italy's
opening match against England, Pirlo wore the captain's armband due to Buffon's last minute
injury. The match ended with a 21 win to Italy. Pirlo heavily contributed to Italy's win, controlling
the flow of the game, and setting up several goalscoring chances, as Italy dominated possession.
During the match, Pirlo made 108 passes in total, only misplacing five, with a pass completion
rate of 95.4%, completing the most passes of any other player in the previous opening matches
of the 2014 World Cup. With a 93.2 pass percentage, Italy also managed to record the highest
pass accuracy percentage of any team in a World Cup match since Denmark in the 1966 World
Cup, completing 561 of their 602 passes.[99] Pirlo also contributed to Italy's first goal of the
match: Candreva's short corner was played to Verratti, who then passed the ball out wide
towards Pirlo, who drew his marker with him. Pirlo let the ball pass in between his legs
to Marchisio, leaving him with space to score with a low drive from outside the area. Pirlo also
managed to hit the crossbar from a swerving free kick in injury time.[100] Italy suffered 10 defeats
in both of their remaining matches against Costa Rica and Uruguay, however and were
eliminated in the group stage for the second consecutive World Cup, finishing in a disappointing
third place in their group, behind Costa Rica and Uruguay. Pirlo's appearance against Uruguay
was his 112th cap for Italy, which allowed him to equal Dino Zoff's number of appearances for
the Italian National side, and made him the fourth most capped player for the Italian national
team. The Italian squad and manager, Cesare Prandelli, were criticised for over-relying on Pirlo
to create goalscoring chances. Although Pirlo was able to set up some goal scoring opportunities
and did test the opposition goalkeepers with some dangerous free kicks in the final two group
games, his performances were stifled by the defensive pressure of the opposition, and he was
much less dominant than he had been in the opening match against England.[94] Although he had
previously communicated his intention to retire after the World Cup, he stated, upon his return to
Italy, that he would still be available to play for the national side.[101]

Euro 2016 Cycle[edit]

Despite previously announcing his international retirement following the 2014 World Cup, Pirlo
reversed his decision, and under new Italy manager, and Pirlo's former Juventus
manager Antonio Conte, Pirlo returned to the Italian squad. Pirlo started in Italy's secondEuro
2016 qualifying match, which ended in a 21 home win for the Azzurri over Azerbaijan. Pirlo

assisted Chiellini's first goal of the match from a corner kick.[102] Interestingly, Pirlo had also made
his debut for Italy against Azerbaijan.

Playing style[edit]
Pirlo is a genius. Together with Baggio, I think hes the greatest talent that Italian football has
produced in the last 25 years.
Gianluigi Buffon[103]
Tactically, Pirlo is capable of playing in several midfield positions, although he is usually
deployed as a central midfielder, where he functions as a deep-lying playmaker for both his club
and national sides. Pirlo is regarded by players and pundits as one of the greatest ever
exponents of this position.[5][104] A highly technical and creative player, Pirlo started his career in a
more advanced role, as an offensive midfielder. Although he was considered a talented, creative,
young Italian prospect in Serie A, even drawing comparisons with former Italian footballing
legend and play-maker Gianni Rivera, due to his technical ability,[105] Pirlo occasionally struggled
in this position, due to his lack of pace.[106] Because of this, he was later moved to a deeplying playmaking role by his coaches Mazzone and Ancelotti, where he was able to excel due to
his unique capabilities.[107] This position allowed Pirlo to operate creatively from a deeper position,
in or even behind the main midfield line, in a seemingly defensive midfield role, where he was
allowed more time on the ball to create scoring opportunities thanks to his ball skills, vision, and
accurate long passing ability.[108][109] He has also previously played as a supporting striker on
occasion during his time at Inter,[110] as well as on the wing under Allegriduring his final season
with Milan,[111] due to his ability to provide accurate, in-swinging curling crosses.[112]
Although not gifted with pace, stamina, physicality or notable defensive or tackling abilities, Pirlo
has been praised for his touch, technique, close control, and dribbling ability, as well as his flair
and creativity in beating players with feints during one on one situations to create space.[113][114] As
a playmaker, he is also highly regarded by pundits for his incredible vision, his inventive play, his
wide distribution range, and his accurate passing ability with both feet.[113][114] Pirlo is a set
piece[115] and penalty-kick specialist,[116][117] who has been praised by pundits for his versatility and
ability to score on direct free-kicks, as well as his adeptness at creating chances from dead-ball
opportunities. He is extremely effective at curling shots accurately on target from close
range,[115] which he states to have perfected whilst studying Baggio in training sessions during
their time at Brescia together.[115] Pirlo is also capable of scoring from long-range free-kicks with
swerve and power, however, due to his unique technique, which was directly inspired
by Juninho'sfree-kicks.[118][119] Pirlo has scored the second highest number of free-kicks in Serie A,
coming only behind Sinia Mihajlovi.[120]
Pirlo is primarily known for his long distance shooting ability[113] and, in particular, his vision and
accurate long-range passing ability as a play-maker,[113][121][122] attributes which have led fellow
players on the Italian national team to give him the nickname l'architetto("the architect"), because
his long passes frequently set up goal-scoring opportunities.[123] In recent years, Juventus fans
also dubbed him il professore ("the professor") and Mozart,[124] as a reference to the Austrian
composer's prodigious ability. Pirlo was also frequently compared to fellow former Milan and Italy
legend Demetrio Albertini early in his Milan career,[125] due to their similar style of play, their acute
vision, accurate and varied passing range, excellent technique, and adeptness at set-pieces,
penalties, and shots from distance.[126] Pirlo was often thought to be Albertini's heir for Milan and
the national side,[126] and also inherited his nickname the metronome whilst playing at Milan, for
the way in which he controlled the tempo of his team's play.[20]

Personal life[edit]
Pirlo was born in Flero, near Brescia, Lombardy, and started his professional career
with provincial giants Brescia Calcio.[127] His brother, Ivan, plays for a Serie C2 club in Brescia.
Pirlo and his wife Deborah Roversi married in 2001 and have two children: son Niccol (born
2003) and daughter Angela (born 2006).[128][129] In 2014, Pirlo and Roversi divorced after thirteen

years of marriage, following Pirlo's affair with Valentina Baldini, a woman he met at his golf
club.[130]
Pirlo's father founded a metal trading company in Brescia in 1982 called Elg Steel. Pirlo himself
retains a stake in the family business.[131] With regard to his wealth from his family business and
footballing career, Pirlo stated in an interview with Italian Vanity Fairmagazine that he never talks
about money.[132] Pirlo is known for being a wine connoisseur and he also runs his own vineyard
in Italy, which produces around 1520,000 bottles a year.[133]
In 2013, Pirlo wrote an autobiography, Penso Quindi Gioco (I Think, Therefore I Play).[134][135]
On the 1 September 2014, Pirlo, along with many current and former footballing stars, took part
in the "Match for Peace", which was played at the Stadio Olimpico, in Rome, with the proceeds
being donated entirely to charity.[136][137]

Career statistics[edit]
Club[edit]
As of 20 March 2014[citation needed]
League
Team

Brescia

Internazionale

Reggina (loan)

Cup

Eu

Season
Apps

Goals

Apps

Goals

Apps

199495

199596

199697

17

199798

29

Total

47

199899

18

200001

Total

22

10

19992000

28

Total

28

2001

10

Total

10

200102

18

200203

27

13

200304

32

200405

30

12

200506

33

12

200607

34

14

200708

33

200809

26

200910

34

201011

17

Total

284

32

18

93

201112

37

201213

32

10

Brescia (loan)

Milan

Juventus

Career Total

International[edit]
Italy national team

Year Apps Goals

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

14

2007

2008

2009

12

2010

201314

30

10

201415

Total

103

13

22

487

55

36

121

2011

2012

13

2013

13

2014

Total 113

13

International goals[edit]
Scores and results list Italy's goal tally first.
No

1.

Date

30 May
2004

Venue

Stade Olympique de
Rads, Rads, Tunisia

Opponent

Tunisia

2.

Score Result

30

Competition

40

Friendly

20

2006 FIFA World

Cup qualification

10
26 March
2005

San Siro, Milan, Italy

Scotland

3.

20

4.

17 August
2005

Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Republic

of Ireland

5.

12 June
2006

6.

Republic of
Ireland

10

21

Friendly

AWD-Arena, Hanover, Germany

Ghana

10

20

2006 FIFA World

Cup

13 October
2007

Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa, Italy

Georgia

10

20

UEFA Euro 2008

qualification

7.

17 June
2008

Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland

France

10

20

UEFA Euro 2008

8.

28 March
2009

Podgorica City
Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro

Montenegro

10

20

2010 FIFA World

Cup qualification

9.

7 September Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence,

2010
Italy

Faroe Islands

50

50

UEFA Euro 2012

qualification

10.

14 June
2012

Stadion Miejski, Poznao, Poland

Croatia

10

11

UEFA Euro 2012

11.

12 October
2012

Hrazdan Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia

Armenia

10

31

2014 FIFA World

Cup qualification

12.

31 May
2013

Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna,

Italy

San Marino

30

40

Friendly

13.

16 June
2013

Estdio do Maracan, Rio de

Janeiro, Brazil

10

21

2013 FIFA
Confederations Cup

Mexico

As of 17 June 2013[139]

Honours[edit]
Club[edit]
Brescia

Serie B: 199697
AC Milan

Serie A: 200304, 201011

Coppa Italia: 200203
UEFA Champions League: 200203, 200607
UEFA Super Cup: 2003, 2007
Supercoppa Italiana: 2004
FIFA Club World Cup: 2007
Juventus

Serie A: 201112, 201213, 201314

Supercoppa Italiana: 2012, 2013

International[edit]

UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship: 2000

Olympic Bronze Medal: 2004
FIFA World Cup: 2006
UEFA European Football Championship Runner-up: 2012
FIFA Confederations Cup Bronze Medal: 2013

Individual[edit]

UEFA European Under-21 Championship Golden Player: 2000

UEFA European Under-21 Championship Top Scorer: 2000

2006 FIFA World Cup Man of the Match: vs. Ghana, vs. Germany, Final vs. France
2006 FIFA World Cup All-star team
2006 FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball
2006 FIFA World Cup Top Assist Provider
IFFHS World's Best Playmaker: Third place 2006, Second place 2007, 9th place
2009, 4th place 2012
FIFPro World XI: 2006
Ballon d'Or: 2006 (9th place), 2007 (5th place), 2012 (7th place)
FIFA World Player of the Year: 2007 (7th place)
UEFA Euro 2008 Man of the Match: vs. Romania
ESM Team of the Year: 201112
Pallone d'Argento: 201112
Pallone Azzurro: 201112
UEFA Euro 2012 Man of the Match: vs. Croatia, vs. England, vs. Germany
UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament 2012
UEFA Best Player in Europe Award 2012 (4th place)
Juventus Player of the Season: 20112012
UEFA Team of the Year: 2012
201112 Serie A Top Assist Provider
Serie A team of the Year: 201112, 201213
Serie A Midfielder of the Year: 2012
Serie A Italian Player of the Year: 2012
Serie A Player of the Year: 2012, 2013
FIFA Confederations Cup Team of the Tournament: 2013
UEFA Europa League Team of the Season: 201314

Orders[edit]

5th Class/Knight: Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana: 2004[140]

Collar of Merit Sports: 2006[141]

4th Class/Officer: Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana: 2006[142]

Notes[edit]
1. Jump up^ European competitions include the UEFA Champions
League and UEFA Europa League
2. Jump up^ Other tournaments include the Supercoppa Italiana, UEFA
Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup and FIFA Club World Cup

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117. Jump up^ "De Rossi: "Pirlo come Totti" "Il rigore? L'ho visto carico"".
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118. Jump up^ "Juventus: Pirlo, ma che punizione hai tirato? La
maledetta che sfida la fisica". Retrieved 29 September 2014.
119. Jump up^ "Belle e "maledette": vi spiego io le parabole di Pirlo".
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120. Jump up^ "Pirlo surpasses Del Piero in Serie A Free Kick Ranking".
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135. Jump up^ "Pirlo: 'Liverpool drank our blood... they mentally
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136. Jump up^ "Interreligious Match for Peace: 1/9/2014". Retrieved 1
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141. Jump up^ "Coni: Consegnati i Collari doro e diplomi donore ai
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142. Jump up^ "Pirlo Sig. Andrea: Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della
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External links[edit]
Wikiquote has quotations
related to: Andrea Pirlo

Wikimedia Commons has

media related to Andrea
Pirlo.

Adam Digby, Andrea Pirlo still as good as ever, Sports Illustrated.com, 3

May 2012.
Andrea Pirlo at FootballTop.com
ESPN Profile

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