Having reported that he would resign toward the end of the season, Andrea Pirlo played his last disguised pass, took his last free-kick and kicked his final ball on Sunday evening as NYCFC succumbed to a 4-3 aggregate defeat to Columbus Crew and failed to progress in the MLS playoffs.
The man himself released the following statement:
“Last match in MLS. As my time in NYCFC comes to an end, I would like to say a few words. I want to thank everybody for the kindness and support they have shown me in this incredible city. Thank you to the amazing supporters, thank you to the coaching staff and everybody that work behind the scene, thank you to my teammates. Not only my adventure in NY comes to an end but my journey as a football player as well, this is why I would like to take the opportunity to thank my family and my children for the support and love they always give me, every team I had the honor to play for, every teammate I have been pleased to play alongside, all the people that made my career such incredible and last but not least, all the fans around the world that always showed me support. You will always be on my side and in my heart.”
After a profession that saw him lift two Champions Leagues, six Serie A titles, two CoppaItalias and the World Cup, Andrea Pirlo, one of the best midfielders to ever play the beautiful game, is more than meriting a rest period.
However, the consensus would appear to be that he won’t sit about on his backside for a really long time, with various job offers and openings mooted. Italian outlet La Repubblica, through Football Italia, says that there is an offer on the table from his old businesses Juventus, with whom he won four back to back Serie A titles, for the 38-year old to return in an ambassadorial limit.
In turning into a club ambassador, Pirlo would do a similar role to what Ronaldinho does for Barcelona, and it would likely mean we haven’t seen the last of him in Bianconeri hues – as he would play for the Juve legends side that David Trezeguet is responsible for.
In any case, that is not all, however, as Pirlo could well be in line for a part in the Italian national group set-up. Azzurri authorities need one of their most noteworthy ever players to be with them in Russia for the World Cup next summer, if GianPiero Ventura’s side does defeat Sweden in the two-legged play-off.
At last, it’s common knowledge that Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, who worked with Pirlo in Turin, is an enormous admirer and there is a discussion that he could wind up as a major aspect of his training staff at Chelsea – something that has been accounted for some time now.