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"Football is played with the head. Your feet are just the tools" - Andrea Pirlo
Most of the players we grew up watching are now heading towards retirement. During the course of last one year, the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Philipp Lahm, Xabi Alonso, and Francesco Totti have hung up their boots and the latest candidate to amalgamate them is Italian great: Andrea Pirlo.
Pirlo who is currently playing for New York City FC announced that he would retire at the end of 2017 MLS season in December. The midfielder is set to have an emotional farewell after an illustrious career that spanned for nearly twenty-two years.
Having inspired the world with his football skills, the veteran, won the commendation of many of his peers who, have eulogized his genius on many occasions.
After starting his career as an offensive midfielder, Pirlo moved to a deeper position under Ancelotti at Milan. The Italian controlled the game from the deep playmaking position and sprayed passes everywhere on the pitch.
He was nicknamed 'metronome' by fans for his ability to set the tempo of games.
Pirlo has awe-inspired the world with his ability to play unprecedented passes on many occasions. In addition to his sublime passes, he was also a potent threat from set-pieces which got him the tag of dead ball specialist.
Here is a look at some of his most important passes and assists:
Pass to Baggio
In 2001, Pirlo was sent on loan to Brescia from Inter. Brescia were a goal down to Juventus when the midfielder played an exquisite long ball from the half-line to Roberto Baggio who then rolled it into the net.
The pass was a huge statement to the people at Inter who had closed their eyes to Pirlo's potential.
"Pirlo spots a pass in a split-second that lesser players could spend a whole lifetime waiting to see."-Carlo Ancelotti
Pass to set up Fabio Grosso's 'magical goal'
"Pirlo can make his feet do whatever he wants. He's a genius." - Johan Cruyff
Italy and Germany were involved in an exhilarating tie at the 2006 World Cup semi-finals, which was moving towards penalties before a magical moment knocked hosts Germany out.
Italy's corner in the 119th minute of the game was cleared before Pirlo trapped it and played an exalted through ball to Grosso, who blasted it past the goalkeeper. Del Piero scored again in the 120th minute to steal the tie from the Germans.
Assisting the equalizer against France in the 2006 World Cup
"To pass the ball to Andrea Pirlo is like to hide it in a safe."- Zbigniew Boniek
Pirlo was at the top of his game during the 2006 World Cup campaign and had already been named man-of-the-match twice before the infamous final. Ten minutes after Zidane opened France's account at the finals with a penalty, Marco Materazzi equalized with a header from an Andrea Pirlo corner.
The match as we all very well remember ended in a defeat for France and a red card for Zidane. Pirlo who had been causing havoc for France from dead ball situations was named man-of-the-match for the third time in the tournament.
Assist to Inzaghi in the finals of the 2007 UEFA Champions League
“When I see Andrea Pirlo play, when I see the ball at his feet, I ask myself if I can really be considered a footballer” – Gennaro Gattuso
For the second time in two years, Liverpool and Milan made it to the Champions League finals. The red and black were hungry for vengeance after what had happened in 2005. Inzaghi struck twice before Dirk Kuyt headed a late consolation for the Reds.
Inzaghi scored his first goal from a cliched Andrea Pirlo free-kick which might have gone in irrespective of his touch.
A statistical view of Pirlo and his passing ability
- In Milan's 2002-03 Serie A season, Pirlo finished as the leader in four categories: passes played (2589), ball possession (123 hours played and 39 minutes), successful balls (661), and successful passes (2093).
- Pirlo was involved in a gameplay leading to a goal in 5 major finals at club level.
- In Juventus's 2011-12 Serie A winning campaign, Pirlo provided the most assists(13), created 100 chances and completed the highest number of passes(2643).
- Pirlo attempted 580 passes at the 2006 world cup tournament and completed 475 of them. He ended up being voted as the third best player of the tournament.
- Italy won the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 against England 4-2 on penalties. Pirlo made 131 passes in the game which was the second most in the history of the European championship.
Pirlo aka 'il professore' aka 'l'architetto' aka 'Maestro' aka 'Mozart' was a unique talent and it will be long before we get to see someone like him. Sitting in the centre of the park, Pirlo was an artist who painted a ravishing picture every game, using 21 brushes.
The world of football will forever remain in awe of what he has achieved in his magnificent career.
“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." - Andrea Pirlo
