Andrea Pirlo
The deep-lying playmaker who orchestrated Italy's 2006 World Cup victory and led them to the Euro 2012 final.
Andrea Pirlo played 116 matches for the Italy national football team, which is the seventh-most of all time. He made his senior debut in 2002 and captained his nation to a bronze medal in the 2004 Olympics. Pirlo was instrumental in Italy's triumph at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, winning the Bronze Ball and being elected to the Team of the Tournament. He repeated similar success as he led Italy to the UEFA Euro 2012 final. Pirlo also represented his country at the 2004 and 2008 UEFA European Championships, the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, and the 2009 and 2013 FIFA Confederations Cups.
- Major Honours
- 2006 FIFA World Cup Winner, UEFA Euro 2012 Runner-up
- Caps
- 116 International Appearances
- Goals
- 13 Goals for Italy
- Key Era
- 2002–2015
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Pirlo's international career began with his senior debut in 2002. He captained Italy to a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics. His defining moment came at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where he was instrumental in Italy's triumph, winning the Bronze Ball and being elected to the Team of the Tournament. He later led Italy to the UEFA Euro 2012 final. Pirlo also represented his country at the 2004 and 2008 UEFA European Championships, the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, and the 2009 and 2013 FIFA Confederations Cups. He played 116 matches for Italy, the seventh-most of all time.
In Their Own Story
In the 2005 UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool, Pirlo assisted Paolo Maldini's opening goal after 50 seconds from a free kick, and combined with Kaká before the Brazilian unleashed Hernán Crespo with a long pass for Milan's third goal before halftime. Despite a 3–3 draw and a penalty shootout defeat, Pirlo's performance throughout the competition was notable. He finished as one of the second-highest assist providers with four assists in the 2004–05 UEFA Champions League.
Reader's Guide
Andrea Pirlo played 116 matches for Italy between 2002 and 2015. He made his senior debut in 2002 and captained the team to a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics. His most significant achievement was being instrumental in Italy's 2006 FIFA World Cup triumph, where he won the Bronze Ball and was elected to the Team of the Tournament. He also led Italy to the UEFA Euro 2012 final. Pirlo represented Italy at the 2004 and 2008 UEFA European Championships, the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, and the 2009 and 2013 FIFA Confederations Cups.
Did You Know?
- Pirlo is the all-time Italian top assist provider in the UEFA Champions League with 15 assists.
- He captained Italy to a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics.
- Pirlo won the Bronze Ball at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and was elected to the Team of the Tournament.
- He made his senior Italy debut in 2002 and played 116 matches, the seventh-most of all time.
- Pirlo led Italy to the UEFA Euro 2012 final.
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