But what is there to know about the Italian star? We compiled five of the most important things about the bearded wonder, from his playing style to his off-the-field interests.
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Pirlo has been on a lot of winning teams
He has a World Cup title with Italy, which came in 2006, six Serie A titles and two Champions League crowns on his resume. He missed out on a third, and likely last, Champions League victory when Juventus fell to Barcelona in the final in May.
His 115 caps for Italy are the fourth-most in team history. He played for the Italian U15, U18 and U21 teams, as well as the senior side. He’s been a fixture for Azzurri for more than two decades.
Pirlo is a free-kick wizard and architect in midfield
The 36 year old scored 48 goals for Milan and Juventus in Serie A play between 2001 and 2015, and has 13 in 115 career caps for Italy. But he’s absolutely deadly with a wall in front of him. He makes a soccer ball do things it shouldn’t. Check out his free-kick highlight reel.
Pirlo is also known as “The Architect” and “The Metronome” (referring to his tempo control) for good reason. He’s a deft passer, usually playing in the central midfield as a deep-lying engine behind his team’s attack. His vision, ball control and touch are nearly unmatched.
Pirlo won’t blow by anyone with speed or knock anyone off the ball with strength, but his natural skill and vision with the ball make him one of the most dangerous players in the world.
Pirlo is a wine connoisseur and owns a vineyard
Pirlo and his family own and operate a winery in the hills of Brescia, where he began his career. They produce between 15,000 and 20,000 bottles of wine per year. After he retires, Pirlo plans to spend more time working with wine.
Pirlo loves Playstation
He’s even called it man’s second best invention after the wheel. Pirlo spent the day of the 2006 World Cup final playing his system and sleeping. From his 2013 biography:
Confident and casual. Love it.
Pirlo values winning and playing soccer a lot
He never talks about money, despite having quite a bit of it from his playing career and his family’s steel business in Italy. He let’s his play do the talking. Also from his biography, on fellow Italian Antonio Cassano.
