Andrea Pirlo: l'architetto celebrates 100 appearances for Italy

Andrea Pirlo celebrates scoring the opening goal during the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 Group A match between Mexico and Italy at the Maracana Stadium on June 16, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Getty Images)

Andrea Pirlo is a rare commodity in the football of our times. Today’s football that is dominated by elements like physical fitness, speed and aerial ability seems a far away world from the one that is occupied by the Juventus midfielder. Pirlo ambles on the ball, looks around with ease and composure, relies on his vision, the movement of players around him and caresses the ball rather than blasting it. He reminds us of a simpler world.

At the end of his club career with Barcelona, Pep Guardiola commented upon the increasing reliance upon the defensive-minded central midfielders in European football. He said, “The emphasis, as far as central midfielders are concerned, is all on defensive work. Players like me have become extinct. Twenty years ago, many clubs had guys with my characteristics. Today, the only one I see is at Milan, with Andrea Pirlo.”

The veteran has kept his place in international football as many of his peers have passed him by. He continues to be “l’architetto” (the architect) of the Italian team and his contributions belie his age. Italy’s man for all times celebrated his 100th appearance with a terrific free-kick against Mexico helping the team to a promising beginning in the Confederations Cup.

Pirlo, who is otherwise relatively reserved on the pitch, seemed delighted with the achievement and spoke with a spring in his step after the game. “First of all, it’s really rewarding for me,” the 34-year-old told reporters sounding satisfied but hungry for more. “It’s not something everyone does. It’s a great feeling to get 100 caps and to score, especially in a historic stadium like the Maracana. I could only have dreamed of this as a child.”

2012 was a terrific year for Pirlo, who made a difficult transition from Milan to Juventus. Milan prematurely discarded him as they chose the work-rate of Kevin-Prince Boateng and the cheekiness of Albert Aquilani. They are already paying a price for it. He won the title with Juventus and received many accolades for his performances.

The level of excellence he maintains at his age is exceptional and he rightly harbours many more dreams for his career. “I was lucky enough to get 100 caps for Italy, but it’s not over yet,” Pirlo said in his characteristic humble tone. “I have other objectives, including winning the Confederations Cup.” He has already announced that his retirement from international football would come after the 2014 World Cup but till then he plans to be the biggest cog in the Italian wheel.

Pirlo’s style of play demands that the entire team be organised around him and hence he demands a lot of trust from the coach and the players. The fact that he continues to enjoy that trust is an indication of the consistency he has exhibited in his game. Very early on in his career he was deployed as an attacking midfielder, but Carlo Mazzone carved a role for him as a deep-lying midfielder while he was at Brescia, and that was the beginning of an era in Italian football.

Interestingly, Pirlo found the limelight when he threaded a long pass to Roberto Baggio against Juventus for a late equalizer. Pirlo’s career took a steep rise from there and the rest is pretty much history. He has played alongside the likes of Kaka, Clarence Seedorf, Gannaro Gattuso at Milan leading the team to two Champions League titles. He has continued to win trophies with Juventus and is not thinking of ending his career anytime soon.

However Pirlo’s greatest achievement was the World Cup victory of 2006 where he was eclipsed by the display of yet another charismatic playmaker by the name of Zinedine Zidane. Pirlo was the third best player of the tournament winning the bronze ball, but most importantly Italy won the coveted trophy as he was adjudged man-of-the-match in the controversial final. Pirlo had set up almost all of Italy’s goals in that tournament.

Pirlo’s ultimate swansong would be the World Cup next year as he tries to repeat that feat. Whether he achieves it or not, the midfielder will remain a prized possession of the game, with his rare talent that has fortunately found the respect it truly deserves.