Andrea Pirlo: Timeless Elegance

All it takes is a gentle wisp of the ball to create the most magical moment out of nothing. Who may possess this power some may ask?

 Not Ronaldinho, nor Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi but Andrea Pirlo: the midfield maestro of Italian football; the brains and the creator of beautiful football in a league that many feel is losing its status of being amongst the elite.

It wasn’t until long ago where critics and fans had written off the 2006 World Cup winner. Poor form and injuries saw his performances sadly stagnate to a point where he was no longer featured in Massimiliano Allegri’s first team choice at Milan. 

His history of priceless performances and simply beautiful moments couldn’t even save the experienced player from facing a move away from his beloved Milan. 

But it has been since his arrival to Juventus that the fairydust has started to work its power again, seeing Tinkerbell (his nickname to Milan fans) find a new surge of life in the Black and White shirt. 

Nevertheless, it has not only been with Juventus that Pirlo has put out performances reminiscent of his two famous campaigns; where he won the World Cup and the Champions League in 2006 and 2007 respectively. 

It has also been under the guidance of the mastermind, Cesare Prandelli- who has been the force behind the Azzurri’s recent European qualifying success- where Pirlo has risen to new heights. 

 

Despite having missed out on the first few qualifying matches for Italy, due to injury, Pirlo immediately made an impact upon his return to the international set-up. 

Against Serbia on 7 October the elegance and grace of the midfielder was unleashed once more when he attempted an audacious 82 passes with an astonishing 71 of those completed: a percentage that only the top conductors of football can succeed in. 

Italy’s qualification saw them break a new record of eight wins, two draws, with only two goals conceded and 20 scored, and there is little doubt that the winner of 79 caps for Italy helped lead them to new heights. 

A fond admirer of the timeless Pirlo, Cesare Prandelli has openly admitted that the Azzurri live off every vital touch the master makes. 

“It would be very difficult to do without him in the team. Nobody dictates the play like he does.

“He also has a characteristic that few people consider – he provides a calmness to the play and instills a tranquility into his teammates.”

With his unique style of play that defines ‘Football Elegance’ and his ability that can without doubt change the national team set-up with a touch of the ball, Andrea Pirlo is the vital component to a successful Euro 2012 for the four times world champions.