Andrea Pirlo, legendary Italian midfielder, gave an interview to Milan TV in which he reflected on his 10 years with the Rossoneri. The Flero native won, among other things, two Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia, one Italian Super Cup, two Champions Leagues, two UEFA Super Cups, and one FIFA Club World Cup with Milan. These were his comments to the club’s official channels:
Wearing the Rossoneri shirt again for the Milan Glorie matches… What does it feel like?
“It’s been part of my life and career, a piece of the story of my entire journey. The last time was in Liverpool, also for another Legends match. It’s always wonderful; we reunite with former teammates and friends. It’s always very emotional," as relayed via Milannews.it.
Your famous free kicks that earned you the title of “Maestro”:
“I think that was a bit of my way of playing, my way of seeing football. Maybe it was different from others, interpreted in a role that at that time was maybe seen differently; I tried to make it my own with my characteristics. The free kicks were something extra.”
You won everything with Milan, and you’ve always said the most important trophy was the one in Manchester:
"Yes, because it was the first. My first Champions League, and for many others it was the first too. We had a long journey, starting from the qualifiers all the way to the final, playing a semifinal against Inter and a final against Juventus… I think it was the peak of an extraordinary season. I still remember the emotion of arriving at Old Trafford with all the fans… I think it was the most emotional match, especially because we were just starting that golden era.”
Pirlo, is there a particular memory that comes to mind?
“What comes to mind is how good we had it during those ten years. We were a family, it was a pleasure to meet every day, go to the training ground, be together. Nothing felt like a burden, and maybe that was our strength: staying together for so many years with more or less the same players, we had created something special among us. Every sacrifice didn’t feel like a sacrifice—it was something beautiful to share together.”
Pirlo-Gattuso-Seedorf-Ambrosini… Is that one of the most important midfields not just in Milan’s history, but in football at that time?
“I think so, and it wasn’t just for one or two years. We kept that level high for many years: that means the quality was always there. We started out young and finished when we weren’t too old (laughs). It was a long stretch full of satisfaction, with great champions by my side.”
You won a lot, but could you have achieved even more?
“Yes, maybe we could have won a few more league titles. We also lost another Champions League final and could have won more. In the end, if you look at what we won, there is a bit of regret that perhaps we didn’t win quite as much as we could have. But you shouldn’t dwell on that too much—in the end, we won a lot, and not everyone can say they’ve lifted those kinds of trophies.”
Even in your day, there were a lot of matches… Pirlo commented:
“Yes, but when you’re playing, it doesn’t weigh on you. You always want to play: maybe there are times when the coach says you should rest, but you always want to be out there. As long as you’re in good shape, nothing feels like a burden. Sure, today there might be more matches with extra competitions during the season, but I don’t think it’s a problem. Of course, there will always be more injuries, but that’s part of the game.”
The 2005 final in Istanbul and the revenge in 2007… Did that make things a bit sweeter?
“Yes, because someone up there must’ve been watching and gave us the chance for revenge, especially because I think the 2005 final was one of the best we ever played as a team, and as a Champions League final. There was a lot of regret—we played a great game and to lose like that… There was regret. But we got our revenge and some things finally went our way.”
As a coach, your first game in Turkey was in Istanbul…
“I lost that first game, so it’s not exactly a fond memory (laughs). I revisited some of the places where we spent a lot of time after that match. Then I spent the whole year there, and as the games went by, some of the emotion faded.”
How much do these 10 years at Milan weigh in your career?
"I grew up there, I became a man there. Honestly, I would have liked to stay for more years, but it wasn’t possible—I took a different path and made another choice. Ten years… maybe the most beautiful ones. I grew up with friends I still see today—we stay in touch, meet up, spend holidays together. That’s what remains with me the most after 10 years at Milan: the friendships that lasted despite all the years that have gone by.”
Does it bother you a bit how that farewell is perceived today? Pirlo said:
“Yes, it does bother me because maybe many didn’t understand it, if they think it was my decision—but it wasn’t, as many people know. I would have continued playing, but the conditions weren’t there anymore and different paths were taken. When I said goodbye to my teammates and told them I was leaving Milan, that was perhaps one of the most painful and saddest moments. There was a lot of sadness then, but sooner or later paths must part, and that’s how it went.”
Is there someone from today’s Milan team you would have liked to play with?
“Many great players have come through and still play today… But I think I played with the best of my era, so now I’ll leave it to the others to enjoy playing for Milan.”
Is your foot still good?
“That’s still there. It’s just the physical condition that’s not the same—when you stop training, everything becomes harder. But it will always be a pleasure to step on the pitch… So many memories, so many beautiful experiences with my teammates… So it’s always a truly beautiful thing."
