Key may refer to:

Look up key in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Key (lock), device used to open a lock or door
  • Skeleton key or master key, a key altered to bypass wards placed inside a lock
• Key (chart), a guide to colours and symbols used in a data chart, graph, plot or diagram
• Key (cryptography), a piece of information that controls the operation of a cryptography algorithm
• Key (engineering), a type of coupling used to transmit rotation between a shaft and an attached item
• Key (map), a guide to a map's symbology
• Key (tool), tool used to wind a clockwork motor
• A part inserted into aligned slots (key ways) in a shaft and the object (bore) that the shaft is inserted into in order to "lock" the two together rotationally.

Biology[link]

• Identification key, a method of deducing the correct species assignment of a living thing
• Single-access key, a method used for categorizing species using logical choices

Computing[link]

• Computer keyboard keys
• KeY, a software verification tool
• Unique key, a set of fields that uniquely identify any record in a database or registry
• Superkey, a similar concept or idea
• Candidate key, a minimal superkey
• Keychain (Mac OS), the Apple-created utility for the Macintosh that stores passwords
• Key, which make up the key-value pairs of a hash table
• .key, file extension used by Keynote

Fiction[link]

• Key (comics), a DC Comics supervillain
• Key (Marvel Comics), a fictional mutant character
• Key the Metal Idol, Japanese anime OVA series
• Kirby's Epic Yarn (KEY), a 2010 game by Nintendo
• The Keys, Seinfeld episode

Places[link]

• Key Island, Tasmania, Australia
• Florida Keys, an archipelago of about 1700 such islands in the southeast United States

Music[link]

• Key (instrument), musical instruments have keys for tuning and keys for playing; such as on a guitar
• Key (music), a set of notes in music
• Key (singer) (born 1991), South Korean entertainer
• Key (album), an album by Son, Ambulance
• Key pattern (rhythm), an African bell pattern that represents the structural core of a musical piece in an extremely condensed and concentrated form, defining rhythmic structure, as scales or tonal modes define harmonic structure.
• Key signature, in musical notation and tablature
• Keys can be short for keyboards, a type of musical instrument part of the percussion family

Surnames[link]

• Key (surname)
• Keys (surname)
• Keyes (disambiguation)

Companies and organizations[link]

• Key (company), a Japanese visual novel studio
• KeyBank, a bank headquartered in the Key Tower in Cleveland, Ohio
• Key Club, a worldwide student service organization
• House of Keys, the directly elected lower branch of Tynwald, the parliament of the Isle of Man

Printing[link]

• Key color (typically black), in the CMYK color model
• Keyline, a dark line separating color elements in four-color printing
• Key plate, a plate which prints the detail in an image, often using the color black
• Chroma key, a method to superimpose several video layers using areas of a defined color as a mask

Other[link]

• Churchkey, various kinds of bottle and can openers
• Clef (from the French for "key"), the symbol that assigns note names to the lines and spaces of the musical staff
• Greek key pattern, a meander pattern
• Key (basketball), also known as the shaded lane in a basketball court
• Keychain, small chain that connects a small item to a keyring
• Key frame, a frame made by an animator from which other frames are derived
• Key light, the primary light source that illuminates an image or scene
• Keys, a truce term used in western Scotland
• Keystone (architecture), the stone at the apex of an arch that holds the arch in place
• Samara (fruit) or key, a type of fruit in which a flattened wing of fibrous, papery tissue develops from the ovary wall
• Subkey (disambiguation)
• Telegraph key, the button used by a telegraph operator

See also[link]

• All pages beginning with "Key"
• All pages with titles containing "Key"
• The Key (disambiguation)
• The Keys (disambiguation)
• Keying (disambiguation)
• Cay, a small, low island
• Quay

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

Look up player in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Player may refer to:

• Gary Player (born 1935), golfer
• Player (game), a participant in a game
  • Player character, a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player
  • Player-coach, in sports, is a member of a sports team who simultaneously holds both playing and coaching duties
  • Player-manager
  • Football player
  • Player (political), a participant in politics who has or is perceived to have influence or power
• Player (dating), slang term for a (usually male, but also female) individual skilled at sexual seduction or a male that will date a female and then dump her almost immediately

Music[link]

• Player (band), a 1970s rock band from Los Angeles, California
  • Player (Player album), 1977
• Player (M. Pokora album), 2006

Technology[link]

• Blu-ray player, a device that plays discs with high definition video
• CD player, a device that plays audio discs
• DVD player, a device that plays discs produced under both the DVD-Video and DVD-Audio technical standards
• Player piano, a self-playing piano, containing a pneumatic or electro-mechanical mechanism that operates the piano action via pre-programmed music
• Record player, a device that plays vinyl records
• Tape player

Computing[link]

• Media player (application software), a piece of software tailored for playing back different forms of multimedia file formats
• Player (software), a robot interface specification and software system

Other uses[link]

• Player (TV channel)

See also[link]

• All pages beginning with "Player"
• All pages with titles containing "Player"
• Players (disambiguation)
• Play (disambiguation)
• Ployer (disambiguation)

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

Mesut Özil

Özil playing for German national team.
Personal information
Full name	Mesut Özil
Date of birth	(1988-10-15) 15 October 1988 (age 23)
Place of birth	Gelsenkirchen, West Germany
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Playing position	Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current club	Real Madrid
Number	10
Youth career
1995–1998	Westfalia 04 Gelsenkirchen
1998–1999	Teutonia Schalke-Nord
1999–2000	Falke Gelsenkirchen
2000–2005	Rot-Weiss Essen
2005–2006	Schalke 04
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2006–2008	Schalke 04	30	(0)
2008–2010	Werder Bremen	71	(13)
2010–	Real Madrid	71	(10)
National team‡
2006–2007	Germany U19	11	(4)
2007–2009	Germany U21	16	(5)
2009–	Germany	33	(8)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:47, 13 May 2012 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 20:11, 31 May 2012 (UTC)

Mesut Özil (German pronunciation: [ˈmeːzut ˈøːzil], Turkish pronunciation: [me̞ˈsut ˈø̞zil]) (born 15 October 1988) is a German footballer who plays for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and the Germany national football team. Özil has been a youth national team member since 2006, and a member of the German national team since 2009. He gained international attention during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was nominated for the Golden Ball Award, which is awarded to the tournament's best player. Following his breakout performance at the World Cup, he was transferred from Werder Bremen to Real Madrid in August 2010.

Özil is acclaimed for his finesse and improvisation as an attacking midfielder. His style and knack for providing assists for his team-mates has been compared to that of Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane. In 2011, he ranked second in assists in La Liga with 17, and first in major European competitions with 25.^[2][3]

Club career[link]

Gelsenkirchen and Rot-Weiss Essen[link]

Özil began his youth career playing for various clubs in Gelsenkirchen and then played five years for Rot-Weiss Essen.

Schalke 04[link]

In 2005, he moved to the youth department of FC Schalke 04. He was a midfielder and wore 17 as his squad number, after starting as a playmaker and central attacking midfielder in the place of the suspended Lincoln in Ligapokal matches against Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich.^[4] On making the first team there, he was described as "the next big thing," but he eventually fell out with club management and moved on to Werder Bremen in January 2008.^[5]

Werder Bremen[link]

On 31 January 2008, he moved to Werder Bremen for a reported fee of €4.3 million, signing a contract with the German club until 30 June 2011.^[6] Fresh off his fallout at Schalke 04, he stepped into the shoes of Brazilian playmaker Diego to help lead the north German club to the 2009 DFB-Pokal with the winning goal in a 1–0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in Berlin.^[7] He also excelled in Europe where he led Werder Bremen to the final of the last ever UEFA Cup, losing out to Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine.^[8] Although Bremen failed to get going in their 2008–09 Bundesliga season, eventually finishing a disappointing 10th, Özil managed to make a significant impact in most games and came away with a respectable three goals and 15 assists that highlighted his attacking credentials.^[8] In his second season, Bremen finished a respectable third, with Özil contributing nine goals and 17 assists in 31 league fixture appearances.

Real Madrid[link]

2010–11 season[link]

Mesut Özil and Daniele Bonera during Real Madrid – Milan, 2010–11 UEFA Champions League.

Due to his performances in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he ensured his place among Europe's top young talents. He was sought by teams like Barcelona, Arsenal, and Manchester United and reports even claimed that a deal was struck for a transfer to Barça. Werder Bremen denied the report and on 17 August 2010, the team announced that they had reached an agreement with Real Madrid.^[9] The transfer fee is believed to have been in the region of €15 million.^[10] Upon signing, Özil said, "When the offer came in to join Real Madrid, there is no decision to make. Let's be honest – you don't refuse this club. I was in no rush to leave Werder Bremen, but this is one club you say yes to. They are an institution, a club with a fantastic history, stadium and squad full of world-class players. The prospect of performing at the Bernabeu is so awesome you jump straight in."^[11]

He made his debut on 22 August in a friendly match against Hércules, which Real Madrid won 3–1.^[12]

Özil warming up against Leicester City in a pre-season friendly in 2011.

Özil's jersey numbers were changed often before the season started. He was given the number 26 in the pre-season and 19 for his debut. But following the transfer of Rafael van der Vaart to Tottenham Hotspur, he was given the vacant 23.

Özil was brought in to back up teammate Kaká, but due to his surgery, Özil obtained a starting role. He then made his La Liga debut for Real Madrid as a substitute for Ángel di María in the 62nd minute against Mallorca, which Real Madrid drew 0–0.^[13] Özil made his season debut in Champions League on 15 September. He got his first assist with Real Madrid in the 74th minute against Ajax after he crossed in the ball, resulting in a Gonzalo Higuaín goal.^[14] Özil's performances for Real Madrid have been praised by media, fans and players.^[15]

He walked off the pitch as a second half substitute to standing ovations in his first two games as a starter at the Santiago Bernabéu. His first goal came in a league match against Deportivo La Coruña on 3 October 2010, in a 6–1 victory.^[16] Özil's first Champions League goal with Real came in the 14th minute against Milan on 19 October 2010.^[17] On 22 December, he made his debut in the Copa del Rey, scoring once in a 8–0 victory over Levante.^[18]

On 6 March 2011, after providing two assists in a 3–1 victory over Racing de Santander, Özil was greatly praised by worldwide media thanks to his performance on the pitch, thus consolidating his outstanding season so far.^[19] He finished the 2010–11 season with Madrid with 25 assists, the highest for any player in any major European competition that season.

2011–12 season[link]

Özil began wearing the number 10 shirt for Real Madrid in 2011–12, signalling manager José Mourinho's intent to use the German international as his main playmaker.^[20] On 14 August 2011, Özil scored his first goal against Barcelona in El Clásico in the first leg of the 2011 Supercopa de España.^[21] On 17 August 2011, Özil was sent off in the last minute of the second leg of the 2011 Supercopa after an altercation with Barça forward David Villa.^[22] Özil expressed his desire to end his football days at the club in an interview with German magazine kicker, saying, "I'd like to end my career at Real Madrid. I know it will be difficult because I have many more years ahead of me and many younger and good players will also be out there, but I want to be part of that future. I know what I'm capable of and I'm convinced I'll stay at Real Madrid many years."^[23]

Özil was on the short-list of this year's FIFA Ballon d'Or award.^[24]

He finished atop the La Liga assists chart,with 17 assists.^[25] On 2 May 2012, he helped Real Madrid to clinch its 32nd La Liga title as he assisted Real Madrid's first goal and scored the second goal against Bilbao, which Real Madrid later won by 3-0. Eleven days later, Özil scored two goals in the final game of the regular season against RCD Mallorca, once again consolidating his excellent performance with the club. The win made Real the first club in the Spanish top flight to ever reach 100 points in a season.^[26]

International career[link]

Career start[link]

In an interview with FourFourTwo Magazine, Özil spoke about his choice to play for the German National Team: "I am third generation in Germany: my father grew up here. Turkey will always be a special country for me but I did not doubt my decision to play for Germany – ever. I started to play for Germany in the youth teams."^[27]

In September 2006, Özil was called up for the Germany under-17 team. Özil has been a member of the German under-21 team since 2007. On 29 June 2009, Özil was selected the man of the match in a 4–0 win over England during the U-21 European Championship final.^[5]

He made his debut for the senior side during a friendly match against Norway on 11 February 2009. He scored his first goal for the senior team in his third appearance, another friendly, against South Africa on 5 September in Leverkusen at the BayArena.

Mesut Özil playing for Germany.

On an individual level, Özil was rewarded for his outstanding Bundesliga play by being named the best player of the first leg of the 2009 season.^[28]

2010 World Cup[link]

Özil was selected for Germanys squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, starting in all of the team's matches. Özil provided an assist for Cacau's goal to the 4-0 final score against Australia in Germany's first group game. He scored a left-footed half-volley from the edge of the penalty area against Ghana in the final group game, ensuring Germany progressed to the second round as group winners.^[29] On 27 June 2010, he played in Germany's win over England in the last 16 match, setting up the fourth goal with a cross to Thomas Müller as Germany triumphed 4–1.^[30] During the quarter-final match against Argentina, he assisted the second goal for Miroslav Klose with a cross to ensure the 4–0 final score for the Germans. FIFA announced that he was among the ten tournament players nominated for the Golden Ball.

Euro 2012[link]

Özil was one of the leading forces in Germany's qualification for UEFA Euro 2012, scoring five times during the campaign as Germany won 10 out of 10 games to top their group.^[31] Özil also confirmed his reputation as a decisive passer, as he provided seven assists, more than any European international during Euro 2012 qualification.^[32][33] When asked about his country's chances at Euro 2012, Özil simply replied, "We have the potential to beat anyone and we have what it takes to win the title."^[34]On 29 February 2012, Özil was recognised as Germany's best international of the year for 2011 prior to kick-off at a friendly against France in Bremen.^[35][36] Özil's Germany were drawn with the Netherlands, Denmark and Portugal into Group B at Euro 2012, widely touted as the "Group of death".^[37]

Style of play[link]

Germany under-21 manager Horst Hrubesch once said, "We in Germany are prone to rave about foreign players. We praise Wayne Rooney to the heavens, likewise [Cristiano] Ronaldo or Messi. But we have our own Messi. Our Messi is Özil." ^[38] Özil brings finesse and improvisation to the midfield and his magical left foot can open any doors. Özil possesses great footwork and is known for his amazing passes in difficult situations, setting up his teammates for strikes on goal. He has superb ball control and has great awareness of the game on the pitch, which at its best can devastate any defence. He also boasts a powerful shot from distance, as evident during his match against Ghana during the 2010 FIFA World Cup or in the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier against Belgium, where in the latter match, he scored a goal which has been described as a "piece of art."^[5][39] Germany coach Joachim Löw hails Özil for his 'genius moments' and his performance without the ball.^[40] Real Madrid Teammate Xabi Alonso describes Özil as "the kind of player you don't find these days," adding, "He understands the game, sees things, combines and thrives between the lines, unlocking teams," while José Mourinho says, "Ozil is unique. There is no copy of him – not even a bad copy."^[41] Assistant coach of the Germany national football team Hans-Dieter Flick says, "We are proud to have him in our team. When he has the ball, you can feel the excitement and astonishment among the fans."^[42]

His nicknames have included "der Rabe" (The Raven, or in Spanish, "El Cuervo") – playing on his smart and opportunistic style of play,^[43] and at Werder Bremen “der neue Diego” (the new Diego) in reference to Brazilian Diego, whose playmaker role he inherited,^[44] "German Messi"^[45] and "German Zidane".^[46] At Real Madrid he's supposedly called "Nemo" – in reference to the clownfish Nemo from the Pixar movie Finding Nemo.^[41][47] His attacking midfield partnership in Germany internationals with young talent Mario Götze has earned the 'magic duo' the nickname Götzil, alluding to their similar playing positions, technique, abilities, and style of play.^[48]

Personal life[link]

Özil is a third-generation Turkish-German,^{[49][28][50][51]} who, in reference to his game, concludes, "My technique and feeling for the ball is the Turkish side to my game. The discipline, attitude and always-give-your-all is the German part."^[52] Although of Turkish descent, his entire life has been committed to Germany.^[28] His ancestors are from Devrek, Zonguldak in Northern Turkey.^[53]

He is a practicing Muslim. He recites the Quran before his matches. Talking to the Berlin-based daily Der Tagesspiegel, Özil said, "I always do that before I go out (on the pitch). I pray and my teammates know that they cannot talk to me during this brief period."^[54][55]

In 2010, Özil received the Bambi award for being a prime example of successful integration within German society.^[56]

Career statistics[link]

Club statistics[link]

As of 23 May 2012^{[57][58][59][60][61]}

¹Includes other competitive competitions, including the Supercopa de España.

International goals[link]

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	5 September 2009	BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany	South Africa	2–0	2–0	Friendly
2	23 June 2010	Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa	Ghana	1–0	1–0	2010 World Cup
3	8 October 2010	Olympic Stadium, Berlin, Germany	Turkey	2–0	3–0	UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying
4	7 June 2011	Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan	Azerbaijan	1–0	3–1	UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying
5	2 September 2011	Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany	Austria	2–0	6–2	UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying
6	2 September 2011	Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany	Austria	4–1	6–2	UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying
7	11 October 2011	Esprit Arena, Düsseldorf, Germany	Belgium	1–0	3–1	UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying
8	15 November 2011	Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, Germany	Netherlands	3–0	3–0	Friendly
Correct as of 15 November 2011

Honours[link]

Club[link]

Werder Bremen

• DFB-Pokal: 2008–09
• UEFA Cup: 2008–09 Runner-up

Real Madrid

• La Liga : 2011–12
• Copa del Rey: 2010–11
• Supercopa de España: 2011 Runner-up

Country[link]

Germany under-21

• UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2009

Germany

• FIFA World Cup: Third place – Bronze medal: 2010

Individual[link]

• 2010 FIFA World Cup Most assists (3) (shared with Thomas Müller, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Kaká, and Dirk Kuyt)
• 2009 UEFA European U-21 Championship Final - Man of the match.

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Mesut Özil

• Real Madrid official profile
• Profile at La Liga
• Mesut Özil at kicker.de (German)
• Mesut Özil at fussballdaten.de (German)
• The Polite Boy with the Faux-Hawk
• ESPN Profile
• BDFutbol profile
• Transfermarkt profile
• 2010 FIFA World Cup profile
• Mesut Özil at National-Football-Teams.com
• Mesut Özil – FIFA competition record

Germany squads v t e Germany squad – 2007 UEFA Under-19 Championship 1 Männel 2 Schwaab 3 Feick 4 Höwedes 5 Eberlein 6 Evljuskin 7 Boateng 8 Sam 9 Schmidt 10 Ben-Hatira 11 Kruse 12 Fährmann 13 Konrad 14 Tyrala 15 Sauter 16 Petersen 17 Özil 18 Falkenberg Coach: Engel v t e Germany squad – 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Winners (1st Title) 1 Neuer 2 Beck 3 Boenisch 4 Höwedes 5 Boateng 6 Aogo 7 Ebert 8 Khedira 9 Dejagah 10 Özil 11 Marin 12 Fromlowitz 13 Wagner 14 Johnson 15 Hummels 16 Schwaab 17 Grote 18 Adlung 19 Ben-Hatira 20 Castro 21 Schmelzer 22 Ede 23 Sippel Coach: Hrubesch v t e Germany squad – 2010 FIFA World Cup Third Place 1 Neuer 2 Jansen 3 Friedrich 4 Aogo 5 Tasci 6 Khedira 7 Schweinsteiger 8 Özil 9 Kießling 10 Podolski 11 Klose 12 Wiese 13 Müller 14 Badstuber 15 Trochowski 16 Lahm (c) 17 Mertesacker 18 Kroos 19 Cacau 20 Boateng 21 Marin 22 Butt 23 Gómez Coach: Löw v t e Germany squad – UEFA Euro 2012 1 Neuer 2 Gündoğan 3 Schmelzer 4 Höwedes 5 Hummels 6 Khedira 7 Schweinsteiger 8 Özil 9 Schürrle 10 Podolski 11 Klose 12 Wiese 13 Müller 14 Badstuber 15 L. Bender 16 Lahm (c) 17 Mertesacker 18 Kroos 19 Götze 20 Boateng 21 Reus 22 Zieler 23 Gómez Coach: Löw

Andrea Pirlo

Personal information
Full name	Andrea Pirlo
Date of birth	(1979-05-19) 19 May 1979 (age 33)
Place of birth	Flero, Lombardy, Italy
Height	1.77 m (5 ft 9 1⁄2 in)
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Juventus
Number	21
Youth career
1994–1995	Brescia
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1995–1998	Brescia	47	(6)
1998–2001	Internazionale	22	(0)
1999–2000	→ Reggina (loan)	28	(6)
2001	→ Brescia (loan)	10	(0)
2001–2011	Milan	284	(32)
2011–	Juventus	37	(3)
National team‡
1998–2002	Italy U-21	37	(15)
2000–2004	Olympic Italy	9	(1)
2002–	Italy	83	(9)
Honours Competitor for  Italy Summer Olympics Bronze 2004 Athens FIFA World Cup Gold Germany 2006
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13 May 2012. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 1 June 2012

Andrea Pirlo, Ufficiale OMRI^[1][2] (born 19 May 1979 in Flero, Lombardy), is an Italian World Cup-winning footballer who currently plays for Serie A club Juventus and for the Italian national team. He is usually deployed as a deep-lying playmaker for both Juventus and Italy and is regarded as one of the world's best player in this position.^[3] Praised for his inventive play and his long passing ability, he is also a set-piece specialist.^[4]

Pirlo has played for the Italian youth teams U-15, U-18 and U-21, captaining and leading the latter to victory in the 2000 as the Golden Player and Top Scorer of the tournament. He joined the Italian senior side during the qualification round for World Cup 2002 and captained the national team to a bronze medal in the 2004 Olympics. Later, he was instrumental in their victory in the 2006 World Cup. He was named man of the match three times, including the final, more than any other player in the tournament, and ultimately won the Bronze Ball (third best player in tournament).

With Milan, he has won two UEFA Champions League (2003 and 2007), two European Super Cups (2003 and 2007), two Scudetti (2004 and 2011) an Italian Super Cup (2004), a FIFA Club World Cup (2007), and the Italian Cup in 2003.

He came in third and second in IFFHS World Playmaker of the Year awards in 2006 and 2007, respectively.^[5][5] Fellow players on the Italian team gave him the nickname "l'architetto" (the architect) because his long passes frequently set up goal-scoring opportunities for the Azzurri (Italian national team).^[6]

Club career[link]

Pirlo was born in Flero, Lombardy, Italy. His brother Ivan plays for a Serie C2 club in Brescia. Pirlo made his debut for Brescia against Reggina. After breaking into the Brescia first team, Pirlo was spotted by Internazionale coach Mircea Lucescu, who signed the playmaker. Pirlo was unable to break into the first squad, however, and Internazionale finished eighth in the 1998–99 Serie A campaign. Pirlo was shipped off on loan to the club he made his debut against in 1995, Reggina. After an impressive season, he returned to Internazionale but was once again unable to break into the first squad, making just four league appearances and spent the second half of the season on loan at former club, Brescia.

Milan[link]

After three seasons on the Internazionale books, Pirlo was sold to fierce rivals Milan for 35 billion Italian lire^[7] (about €18 million). That transfer windows the two clubs has also swapped Cristian Brocchi for Guly; Paolo Ginestra for Matteo Bogani. The deals later reported by press were also aimed to create "false profit" by inflating the transfer fees in the swap deal, which Ginestra and Bogani both created €3.5 million "profit" for both clubs but in terms of registration rights.^[8][9]

Andrea Pirlo warming up with Milan against Fiorentina

It was at Milan where he found his true strides developing into a world class player. With Milan, he won two Scudetto and two Champions League titles. He also won an Italian Cup and two UEFA Super Cups with Milan in 2003 and 2007. His most forgettable incident, however, was the penalty miss during 2005 UEFA Champions League Final, as his spot kick was saved by Jerzy Dudek.^[10]

Pirlo started his career as an offensive midfielder until coach Carlo Mazzone developed a deep-seated playmaking role while at Brescia with Roberto Baggio. Carlo Ancelotti further-developed this role at Milan. Since then, he has formed a formidable partnership with Gennaro Gattuso in the midfield and has earned the nickname the metronome for the way he sets the team's rhythm.^[11] He led Serie A in the 2002–03 season in four special categories — passes played (2589), ball possession (123 hours played and 39 minutes), successful balls (661), and successful passes (2093). This implies that he averaged almost 90 passes per game. He led Milan in minutes played for the 2006–07 season with 2,782. In October 2007, he was nominated for the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year Award but it went to Milan teammate Kaká instead. After Kaká and coach Carlo Ancelotti left Milan in the summer of 2009, Chelsea tested Milan's resolve by bidding $12 million and Claudio Pizarro for Pirlo. The club rejected the offer and Pirlo was said to be contemplating a transfer request.^{[citation needed]} On 5 August, club owner Silvio Berlusconi decided not to sell Pirlo, who said he was overjoyed and wanted to end his career at Milan.^[12] On 21 October 2009, Pirlo scored a notable 30 meter goal in Milan's 3–2 win over Real Madrid.^[13]

Milan played host to Genoa on 25 September 2010, Pirlo provided a lovely lifted ball over the top of the defense to set striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic free to score the solitary goal of the game.^[14] On 2 October Pirlo scored a 40-yard goal against Parma to give Milan their first away win of the 2010–11 season.^[15] On 14 May 2012, Pirlo came appeared in his last match for Milan, coming on as a half-time substitute for Massimo Ambrosini as the club celebrated their Scudetto with a 4-1 thumping of Cagliari.^[16] Four days later, Pirlo confirmed that he would be leaving Milan at the end of the 2010–11 season, after a mutual decision not to renew his contract.^[17] In his last season in Milan, Pirlo only appeared in the league 17 times notching just one goal and three assists.^[18]

Friendly match against América in New York City

Juventus[link]

In 2011, Juventus announced the signing of Pirlo as a free agent on a contract that will last until 2014.^[19] His debut with Juventus was a friendly match against Sporting Clube de Portugal, which they lost 2–1. His first competitive match with La Vecchia Signora was the Serie A opening match against Parma at home and tallied two assists, for Stephan Lichtsteiner and Claudio Marchisio, in a 4–1 victory.^[20][21] Antonio Conte played him alongside younger midfielders Marchisio and new signing Arturo Vidal in a three-man midfield.

His first goal for Juventus was a free kick against Catania on 18 February 2012 securing a 3-1 victory for the Old Lady and put the club back at the top of the Serie A table, above his former side Milan.^[22] On 18 March, Pirlo scored in a 5–0 demolition of Fiorentina and after the game dedicated the win to Fabrice Muamba, who suffered a cardiac arrest playing for Bolton Wanderers during a match against Tottenham Hotspur the same day.^[23][24]

He finished the season winning the Scudetto after helping the Old Lady secure a 2-0 victory over Cagliari Calcio,^[25] the midfield general also provided the most assists in the Serie A season, with 13.^[26] Pirlo also found the back of the net three times in the league as he was named to the Serie A "Team of the Year" along with midfielder partner Arturo Vidal, proving that he still has what it takes to cut it at the top level following his departure from Milan.^[27]

International career[link]

Andrea Pirlo playing for Italy against Belgium

Pirlo is a silent leader. He speaks with his feet.

—Marcello Lippi

Pirlo captained Italy to an Under-21 European Championship in 2000 and semi-finalists in 2002. Pirlo played for Italy at the 2000 Summer Olympics, won the bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics.

2006 World Cup[link]

Pirlo was a member of the Italian Squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.^[28] In Italy's first match in the tournament, Pirlo scored the opening goal against Ghana, and subsequently set up a goal for Vincenzo Iaquinta to seal a 2-0 victory, as the midfielder was named Man of the Match.^[29] In the second match, he set up a diving header for Alberto Gilardino from a set piece which proved to be vital in their 1–1 draw against the United States.^[30]

In the semi-final against Germany, he assisted on the opening goal in the dying minutes, and was again named Man of the Match, as italy triumphed 2-0 over the hosts.^[31] In the final against France, his corner kick produced Marco Materazzi's equalizing header ten minutes after France had opened the score. The match went to a penalty shoot-out, in which he scored.^[32][33] He was named Man of the Match for a third time, and was voted third-best player of the tournament, winning the Bronze Ball.^[34]

Post World Cup[link]

On 17 June 2008, Pirlo netted a penalty as Italy defeated France 2-0, to send their rivals and World Cup runners-up crashing out of the European Championships at the group stage.^[35] Italy lost on penalty kicks to eventual winners Spain in the quarterfinals, as Pirlo and Milan teammate Gennaro Gattuso were suspended for the match.^[36]

Pirlo was not able to play the first two games in the 2010 World Cup for Italy due to recent injuries.^[37] He came off the bench for Italy late in the match on 24 June against Slovakia. Even with his help in orchestrating a renewed Italian offense, Pirlo could not prevent Italy from being knocked out of the first round.^[38]

Pirlo appeared in nine matches as Italy successfully qualified for the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine,^[39] netting one goal in Italy's 5-0 hammering of minnows Faroe Islands on 7 September 2010.^[40] Because of his good performances in leading Juventus to becoming Italian champions, Italy coach Cesare Prandelli included the playmaker in his 32-man provisional squad for the Euros.^[41][42]

Personal life[link]

Andrea Pirlo and his wife Deborah Roversi married in 2001 and have two children: son Niccolò (born 2003) and daughter Angela (born 2006). ^[43][44]

Career statistics[link]

As of 13 May 2012^[45]