Former Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo has announced he is retiring from football after playing his last game for New York City.

The 38-year-old won 116 caps for Italy and helped them win the 2006 World Cup.

Pirlo began his career at Brescia and also played for Inter, AC Milan and Juventus before joining the Major League Soccer side two years ago.

In a statement posted on his Twitter account, Pirlo also thanked "every team that I had the honour to play for" and "every team-mate that I have been pleased to play alongside".

Former club Juventus described him as a "true genius".

As well as helping the Azzurri become world champions, Pirlo also won many domestic honours during his 22-year career.
He was part of a Milan side who won two Serie A titles, two Champions Leagues and a Club World Cup between 2003 and 2011, then was instrumental in Juventus winning four successive Scudettos between 2012 and 2015.

The Italian moved to New York ahead of the 2015 MLS season, joining former England midfielder Frank Lampard and Spain striker David Villa at the Manchester City-owned franchise.

"Everyone at New York City FC would like to congratulate Andrea on an incredible career and to thank him for his excellent contribution to NYCFC over the past two and a half years." the club said.

Pirlo's career in numbers

872 games
6 Serie A titles
2 Coppa Italia wins
2 Champions League triumphs
1 World Cup success


best of Andrea Pirlo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUg9Sx28MlA



http://m.bbc.com/sport/football/41885250

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Kudos on successful career

Nothing is as satisfying as a wonderful career after doing good for yourself.




Over 260 LIKES on my profile picture, thank you Nairalanders

Was tough playing against this guy that year ... injury, e no go better for you.

Nostalgia

boss man

Good for him,
He can open a Macaroni restaurant in Downtown Manhattan.


Or go back to Italy and join the Mafia.

He was a good man and a great footballer

baba of freekick.

Ok

good one

the only player some say he looks like Chuck Norris some say he. looks like Jesus

#LEGEND

[url]https://www.nairaland.com/modifypost?post=62138426&redirect=%2F4161023%2Fandrea-pirlo-retires-football%2362138426[/url]





^Okay! hi














He's a good guy!









..

GOOD

King of R2 shots

And those freekicks! It was a great privilege to watch him play.

I actually always waited for him to make a mistake, I was always unlucky.

#greatpirlo

In my view the second best passer of ball (after Xavi) in the last 15 years.

Legend retires, d world will miss u

The legend of our time.
It was a privilege to watch him play.

L'architetto

Wow legend

I was honoured to have watched this dude. I thought there was no midfielder I could adore after him, but Xavi changed my mind.

I love you, Pirlo.

A true boss, used to love him way back because of his wavy hair, but he looks old for 38

pirlo, the boss!!! it's been a long way coming

Nice one
Congratulations

Oh no Pirlo come back!

Its being an honour to play side by side with you...on ps2. Your image would live on...

... Andrea Pirlo , is a great guy... I remember how both of us use to play monkey post and one touch back then... he went ahead to become one of the best midfielders while I stayed back on NL to applaud him...

His style of football was unique, slow, hardly mistakes on pitch,good passer of d ball and cap it all,a good free-kick taker

Legend.