super soccer

Name : Andrea Pirlo
Squad No: 21
Position: Midfielder
Age: 33
Birth Date: May 19, 1979
Birth Place: Flero, Italy
Height: 5' 9'' (1.75m)
Weight: 68 kg

Pirlo has been one of the best midfielders in world football for years and, even as a veteran is still able to change a game with a single pass.

Pirlo made his club debut at Brescia aged just 16 years and two days and by the time he was 18 he had been snapped up by Inter Milan. However, it was not until he swapped allegiances in Milan and joined the Rossoneri in 2001 that Pirlo really established himself as one of the best playmakers in the game.

The Flero-born player became the deep-lying metronome that manager Carlo Ancelotti built his team around and the midfielder's rarely misplaced passes helped Milan win the Italian Cup, the Serie A title and two UEFA Champions League titles.

Drifting out of the Milan side in 2011, he moved to Juventus and was an immediate success as he helped the Old Lady to win the Serie A title unbeaten and confirmed his repuatation as one of the best in the business/

A key player in the Italian national team since his debut in 2002, Pirlo won the 2006 World Cup and put in some wonderful performances in helping his side to the final of Euro 2012 where they were beaten by Spain.



Strengths:
One of the most accurate passers in the game. He is also a free-kick specialist.

Weaknesses:
Not blessed with pace, he is also sometimes caught out when required to win the ball back.

Career high:
Winning the World Cup with Italy in 2006.

Career low:
Throwing away a three-goal lead in the 2005 Champions League final as Liverpool beat AC Milan on penalties.

Style:
Incisive, calm, a silky midfielder with incredible vision.

Quotes:
"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." Inter chief Massimo Moratti.

Trivia:
His brother Ivan was apparently the better footballer when they were boys, but could only play at Serie C2 standard while Andrea is nicknamed "l'architetto" (the architect).