After making a brief cameo appearance in New York City's MLS Play-off aggregate defeat on Sunday night, Italian legend Andrea Pirlo has officially announced his retirement from football.

Now aged 38, Pirlo finishes his career after winning 13 major trophies, including the 2006 World Cup. Most commonly remembered for his time with juventus and AC Millan, the man simply nicknamed 'Maestro' made 116 appearances for italy.

Italian made

Although he may have bowed out from the game Stateside, Pirlo's heart and his legacy will always be associated with Italy.

Starting his career from humble beginnings, Pirlo began his journey to superstardom with Brescia, before making the move to Inter Milan in 1998, for a deal worth £1.8million. For a young Pirlo, he was unable to cement his place at I Nerazzurri, and after just three years with Inter, the Italian midfielder elected to make the move to fierce rivals AC Milan.

It was in the famous red and black of Rossoneri that Pirlo began to announce himself as one of the most technically gifted midfielders of his generation. In a decade with AC, Pirlo became a pivotal part in what is still regarded as Milan's most successful period.

Making over 400 appearances, Pirlo played alongside the likes of Clarence Seedorf, Kaka, and Ronaldinho.

Winning two Seria A titles and the Champions League in 2003 and 2007.

Pirlo's greatest achievement undoubtedly came in 2006. After leading Italy to the World Cup final, Pirlo famously scored his penalty on Italy's way to be crowned World Champions.

In 2011, aged 32, many expected that Pirlo's already illustrious career would be drawing to an end.

Picking up several knee injuries during his time at AC, and his contract set to expire. Pirlo wrote a new chapter in his story, making the move to Italian giants Juventus.

With his age taken into consideration, Antonio Conte and Max Allegri allowed their talisman to play in a far deeper role, controlling the tempo of the game.

Unsurprisingly, Piro shone and flourished in his new position. During his four years at the Allianz, the midfield maestro added four more consecutive Serie A titles to his astonishing resume.

Grazie, Maestro

Bowing out as a modern day icon, Pirlo has finally drawn an end to his 22-year career with MLS franchise New York City FC. Making his long-awaited U.S. debut in 2015, Pirlo, along with Barcelona legend David Villa helped Patrick Viera's side reach the MLS play-off's in each of the past two seasons.

Speaking with Gazzetta dello Sport in October, Pirlo made it clear that he would be hanging up his boots when NYCFC's season drew to an end, the Italian said: "You realise yourself that the time has come.

Each day, you have physical problems and you can't train as you would like to. At my age, it's fine to say enough is enough."

As City were unable to progress in the MLS play-off's, following a 4-3 aggregate defeat to Columbus, New York's season came to an end, and as promised, one of football's most iconic stars left us with a simple wave and a career full of memories.
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