Andrea Pirlo announces retirement from football

The coolest man in football, Andrea Pirlo, has called time on his illustrious 22-year playing career.

 

The former Italy midfielder announced his retirement from football at the age of 38 as he took to his twitter account after his current side New York City FC were knocked out of the MLS play-offs to issue a statement on his retirement.

 

 “Last match in MLS. As my time in NYC FC comes to an end, I want to thank everybody for the kindness and support they have shown me in this incredible city.

 

“Thank you to the amazing supporters, thank you to the coaching staff and everybody that worked behind the scene, thank you to my team mates.

 

“Not only my adventure in New York comes to an end but my journey as a football player as well, that is why I would like to take this opportunity to thank my family and my children for the support and love they always give me, every team that I had the honour to play for, every teammate I have been pleased to play alongside, all the people that made my career such incredible.

 



“And last but not least, all the fans around the world that have always showed me support, you will always be on my side and in my heart.”

 

Pirlo began his 22 year career at Brescia enjoying three years before joining Inter in 1998. The midfielder struggled for game time and later moved to rival’s AC Milan for 33 billion Italian Lire (€17 million) in 2001.

 

In a decade with Milan Pirlo enjoyed great success, playing over 200 games for Rossoneri and winning two Serie A titles and the Champions League title twice along the way in 2003 and 2007 and also famously played in the classic in 2005 against Liverpool in Istanbul.

 



In 2011, Pirlo was now in his early 30s and with his contract expiring he made move to Juventus. Pirlo was now being played in a much deeper role as a holding midfielder for the Old Lady, and he won another four league titles, played in the 2015 Champions League final 3-1 loss to Barcelona and cemented his place in the Juventus and Italian national team until 2015.

 

Pirlo moved to New York City FC in July 2015, playing for the MLS side for two seasons. In October, he announced that he would retire at the end of the season, but opted to stay on for the MLS Cup Playoffs as they reached the Eastern Conference semi finals, losing 4-3 on aggregate to Columbus Crew.

 

He also had a stellar career playing for the Gli Azzurri. He is currently tied in 4th place on the all time Italian cap list with Daniele De Rossi, donning the famous blue shirt 116 times scoring 13 goals.

 

One of the highest points of Pirlo’s international career was winning the 2006 World Cup, Italy beating France 5-3 on penalties after the game finished 1-1. Pirlo was awarded Man of the Match for his display that day, sending in the corner that led to Marco Materazzi’s equaliser in the 19th minute and he converted one of Italy’s five penalties from the spot as the game went to the dreaded shootout.

 

Pirlo also played a major part of Italy’s 2012 European Championship campaign as they finished Runners up to Spain losing 4-0 in the final.  

 

One of his most famous performances came in the quarter final win over England as Italy managed to win 4-2 on penalties following a scoreless draw in normal time. Pirlo scored in the shoot-out and cemented his “coolness” status with an audacious chipped penalty down the centre of the goal, known as a Panenka.

 

Following the match Pirlo spoke of his sensational 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."

 

Pirlo completed more passes than the entire England midfield, as he managed 131 passes, the most of any player during the match, and the second most in a single match in the history of the European Championship, behind Xavi, with an 87% pass completion rate, as Italy finished the match with 63% ball possession.[203] He also ran 11.58 kilometres throughout the match, covering more distance than any England player.

 

Pirlo won three Man of the Match Awards at Euro 2012, the most awards won by a single player, along with Andrés Iniesta of tournament champions 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.

 

With Pirlo’s announcement, football has lost one of its most creative players of the modern day, known for his composure in possession, his touch, technique, balance, close control, and dribbling ability. As they say No Pirlo No Party!