The Italian world cup Winner has announced his retirement from football at the age of 38 after his final league game in New York City. Pirlo has had a glittering career, winning 116 Caps for the National team and winning the World Cup back in 2006.
Pirlo started his career with Brescia and established himself as an important member of the first team squad. After a number of strong performances for Brescia, Italian giants Inter Milan came calling and Pirlo found himself on the way to the San Siro in the summer of 1998. His time with Inter was not to be a successful one and Pirlo struggled to establish himself in the first team.
He was loaned out to different clubs over the next few seasons before getting a move to Inter's rivals, AC Milan. It was at Milan that Pirlo really took the chance to showcase his talents.
AC Milan
The move to Milan came in 2001 and would last until 2011. This proved to be a trophy-laden time for the Italian as he picked up 2 Champions League winners medals, 2 Serie A winners medals, a Coppa Italia and 2 UEFA Super Cups just to mention a few. Pirlo thrived as a deep lying play-maker, linking play between defence and attack with the style and rhythm, as only he could. The midfielder went on to make over 280 appearances for the club, as well as contributing over 30 goals to the club. Often in the shadow of more attacking players, the Italian's talent was clear for all to see.
He dictated the tempo of the game and controlled the flow of play around the team. At the end of the 2010 / 2011 season, it was decided that Pirlo was on the decline and was left to leave the club.
Juventus
The play-maker was far from finished and in fact appeared to only be getting better with age. Pirlo was to go on to make nearly 120 appearances for the club and helping Juventus dominate Italian Football for years to come.
Further silverware was added in the form of 4 Serie A titles and another Coppa Italia.
Final seasons
After the time with Juventus, Pirlo had one last adventure left in him and made the move to America, joining New York City in 2015. The Italian's time in New York got off to a slow start, however, it was only a matter of time before his found his feet and started to show glimpses of the talent that had made him a powerhouse in Italy for so long. Pirlo ends his time in America having made 60 league appearances over 2 seasons and brings to an end the career of one of the most decorated football players of his generation.
