A biography for Andrea Pirlohasn’t been written yet.
“Messi is the best player in the world; he is amazing.”
“I do not have a Facebook page, and I do not chat on Twitter. I don't have a web site, even if there are people who have opened one in my name, complete with my photo.”
“I never had any doubts. I wanted MLS. I'd followed it on TV, and I liked it. And being able to play in New York did the rest. I don't know if I would have accepted an offer from any other city.”
“To be honest, I don't see anyone out there who plays the way I do.”
“There are many talented midfielders but not the kind of playmaker I am.”
“All I'm after is a few square metres to be myself. A space where I can continue to profess my creed: take the ball, give it to a team-mate, my team-mate scores. It's called an assist, and it's my way of spreading happiness.”
“I'm a bit of a wandering gypsy on the pitch.”
“There were times we were kept in our dressing room until late at night because it wasn't safe to go home. Our bus would get attacked, the tires slit.”
“I still have a thorn in my side at not having played for Real Madrid or Barcelona, because playing there is a dream for every player. But I consider myself very satisfied to have played for the best teams in Italy.”
“Before every match, I eat pasta with tomato and chicken breast a few hours beforehand. In the hottest months, I choose to drink an energy drink before the match, too, but normally, I drink just water.”
“I'd have considered myself fortunate to be coached by Guardiola because he really puts his stamp on teams. He builds them, moulds them, guides them, berates them, nurtures them. He makes them great. He takes them to a higher level; a place beyond mere football.”
“If you look after yourself and are willing to adapt - there is no reason why you can't play at the top level until your late 30s.”
“I like English football a lot.”
“I played with Baggio when I was young. I grew up with his myth, and to actually play with him was like being in a dream. I tried to hang out with him, to study how he played and to learn from him.”
“Not to feel important, be important - that's the most important thing.”
“When someone decides to come to the U.S., he knows what he's getting into.”
“Yes, many times an assist is more difficult than a goal; you need to find the right space and measure the force used in order to provide your teammate with the right position in order to score.”
“I played with many champions, but the important thing is always the team, as the group goes beyond any single player.”
“When you start to achieve success, you want to get more.”
“Ancelotti moved me to a new position and helped me raise my game.”