30 Facts About Andrea Pirlo

1. Andrea Pirlo is one of two children along with his brother Ivan.

2. Andrea Pirlo was frequently compared to fellow former Milan and Italy playmaker Demetrio Albertini early in his Milan career, due to their similar characteristics and style of play.

3. Andrea Pirlo has scored the highest number of free-kicks in Serie A, alongside Sinisa Mihajlovic.

4. In total, Andrea Pirlo made 116 appearances for Italy, scoring 13 goals, making him the fifth-most capped player in his nation's history.

5. In response to Conte's comments, Andrea Pirlo stated to Sky Italia: "I have spoken to Conte and there is no disappointment on my part, he knows what he has to do and what he should not do.

6. Andrea Pirlo assisted Chiellini's first goal of the match from a corner kick.

7. Andrea Pirlo managed to hit the crossbar from a swerving free kick in injury time.

8. Andrea Pirlo heavily contributed to Italy's win, controlling the flow of the game, and setting up several goalscoring chances, as Italy dominated possession.

9. On 5 June 2014, Andrea Pirlo was selected by Italy manager Cesare Prandelli as part of his 23-man squad for the World Cup in Brazil.

10. Andrea Pirlo scored one goal during Italy's qualification campaign for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which saw them top their group, undefeated.

11. Andrea Pirlo was named to 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.

12. Andrea Pirlo was selected for Italy's squad to play in Brazil at the 2013 Confederations Cup.

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

14. Andrea Pirlo scored in the shoot-out with an audacious chipped penalty down the centre of the goal, known as a Panenka.

15. Andrea Pirlo was not able to play the first two games in the 2010 World Cup for Italy due to recent injuries.

16. Andrea Pirlo was voted the third-best player of the tournament, winning the Bronze Ball, and he finished the victorious World Cup campaign as the top assist provider along with teammate Francesco Totti, as well as Juan Roman Riquelme, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Luis Figo.

17. Andrea Pirlo formed a formidable midfield partnership with Milan teammate Gennaro Gattuso, and he completed 475 passes out of 580 attempted throughout the tournament, while winning 18 challenges.

18. Andrea Pirlo was named to Italy's 23-man squad for the 2006 World Cup, and appeared in all of Italy's matches at the tournament, playing 668 minutes in total.

19. On 12 August, it was announced that Andrea Pirlo had placed seventh in the 2015 UEFA Best Player in Europe.

20. On 6 July 2015, it was announced that Andrea Pirlo had completed a move to MLS expansion franchise New York City as their third Designated Player.

21. On 15 December 2014, Andrea Pirlo was named the Serie A Footballer of the Year for the third time in his career, and for the third consecutive year since his arrival at Juventus; he was named part of the 2014 Serie A Team of the Year.

22. On 11 June 2014, Andrea Pirlo signed a new contract keeping him at Juventus until 2016.

23. On 12 January 2014, Andrea Pirlo signed a new contract with Juventus, which will keep him at the club until 2016.

24. Andrea Pirlo helped to create Paul Pogba's opening goal in the twenty-third minute of play.

25. Andrea Pirlo was elected the 2012 Serie A Footballer of the Year, as well as the best midfielder of the season, winning the 2012 Guerin d'Oro.

26. In total with Milan, Andrea Pirlo made 401 appearances, scoring 41 goals.

27. Andrea Pirlo was born in Flero, Italy, in the province of Brescia.

28. In 2012, Andrea Pirlo was named the eighth best footballer in the World by The Guardian.

29. In 2012, 2013 and 2014, Andrea Pirlo was elected as Serie A Footballer of the Year and was named as part of the Serie A team of the Year.

30. In November 2017, Andrea Pirlo retired at the end of the MLS season.