Andrea Pirlo

Italian football midfielder and manager, renowned as one of the greatest deep-lying playmakers of all time, World Cup winner 2006 with exceptional passing abili

Andrea Pirlo was born in Flero, Brescia in 1979 and began at Brescia (1995–1998) before Inter Milan (1998–2001) where he struggled for game time. Brescia loaned him to Reggina (2000–01). AC Milan signed him permanently (2001–2011) and Carlo Ancelotti reinvented him as a deep-lying playmaker — a regista who directed play from in front of the defence. He won 2 Champions Leagues (2003, 2007) and 2 Serie A titles at Milan. Juventus signed him on a free transfer in 2011 — one of the great transfer coups — and he won 4 consecutive Serie A titles before joining New York City FC (2015–2016). In 116 Italy appearances he scored 13 goals and provided 55 assists, winning the 2006 World Cup and reaching Euro 2012 final. He scored 82 career goals and provided 274 assists across 855 appearances. His top speed of 28.1 km/h was never his tool — his 9.8 km per game came from intelligent movement rather than relentless running. His free-kick technique produced 26 direct free-kick goals in Serie A alone. His Panenka penalty in the Euro 2012 semi-final against England was the defining moment of that tournament.

Deep-lying playmaker with exceptional vision, precise long passing, and elegant technique

Considered one of the greatest midfielders ever, transformed modern playmaking from deep positions

• FIFA World Cup 2006 (Italy)
• UEFA Champions League 2x (2003, 2007) (AC Milan)
• Serie A 6x (2x Milan, 4x Juventus)
• Coppa Italia 4x
• UEFA Super Cup 2x
• FIFA Club World Cup 2007
• Ballon d'Or runner-up 2006
• UEFA Euro 2012 finalist (Italy)
• Ballon d'Or Bronze Ball 2007
• UEFA Euro 2012 Team of Tournament
• Serie A Footballer of Year 2012

Club Career

Club	Period	Apps	Goals	Shirt
Brescia	1995–2001	47	19	#21
Inter Milan	2001–2001	148	19	#21
AC Milan	2001–2011	100	10	#21
Juventus	2011–2014	153	14	#21
New York City FC	2014–2015	29	1	—
Italy	—	116	13	—