L’Architetto: The story behind Andrea Pirlo’s Ballon d’Or nomination

Andrea Pirlo

Andrea Pirlo is a player comparable to a fine wine – they both grow richer with age. But while the Italian is a fan of the fruity beverage, it’s the smooth ripples on a football pitch that has seen him aloft the wall of many fully grown adults across Europe.

Pirlo has been fantastic since his move to Turin after spending 10 years at AC Milan where he won multiple trophies.

Major honours

Pirlo was at the heart of Juventus picking up their second Scudetto in as many years and also helped the Turin side to triumph in the Italian Cup. He made 32 appearances in Serie A last season, creating a huge 96 opportunities for his team-mates (seventh most in Europe) and earning what was his fourth winners medal.

Who is Andrea Pirlo?

The 34-year-old is a central midfielder who has changed the mindset of a lot of European football fans over the years. Rather than parading the central areas puffing his chest like a lot of other top class midfielders, Pirlo has made his living from injecting a sense of composure into sides by bossing games with his technical ability.

The Italian has made his name in his homeland, representing both Milan clubs and his current outfit Juve, as well as earning 105 caps for Italy at senior level and was a huge part of the side that won the World Cup in 2006.

Key stats

Pirlo was far and away the most creative player at the club last season, and came second to only Francesco Totti in terms of key passes in the whole Italian top flight. Not only did he register the highest Squawka Performance Score in the Juve squad last season with 2070, but the score was enough to crown him the best individual in the whole of Serie A.

This season Pirlo has continued his displays – racking up 17 key passes and two goals in just 10 games, while his pass completion has risen from 87% to 89%.

The Italian is an incredible player to watch. His coolness compliments Paul Pogba’s athletic approach and Arturo Vidal’s ambitious style of play, and he keeps things ticking between the trio. Pirlo has also won nine of his 13 tackles this term.

Does he deserve his nomination?

It’s debatable. His inclusion has sparked upset at the fact that his midfield partner Vidal was not included, despite the Chilean outshining Pirlo on many occasions since the start of the year.

There is no doubting his influence in the Juventus side nor the ability that he still holds, and while many argue against the midfielder’s admittance I would suggest that he deserves his spot purely for the way he inspired Juventus to the Serie A title last season.

Does he have a chance of winning?

No. It looks as if the final three have already been decided and I don’t think anybody is expecting Pirlo to dismantle the trio of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Franck Ribery. However, it will be another year to remember for the 2012 Serie A Player of the Year, not least because he’s out of contract at the end of the season and it could be his last at the club.