‘He spoke with his feet’: tributes pour in as midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo hangs up his boots
The 38-year-old Italian legend calls it a day following New York City FC’s elimination from the Major League Soccer play-offs
Tributes poured in for Andrea Pirlo after Italy’s midfield maestro retired, the 38-year-old passing wizard having played his final match on Sunday when New York City FC lost in the Major League Soccer play-offs.
Pirlo went on in the 90th minute and was greeted with affection by fans at Yankee Stadium.
While Pirlo played his final seasons in the United States, he made his name by helping AC Milan and Juventus win a combined six Serie A titles, two Champions Leagues for Milan and, above all, the 2006 World Cup for Italy.
“He spoke with his feet,” Marcello Lippi, Italy’s coach at the 2006 World Cup, said on Monday.
A free kick specialist, Pirlo also mesmerised the opposition and audiences alike with his superb ball control.
