Andrea Pirlo

50 Top Soccer Player their trade today, based on a combination of current form, potential and overall ability.  Ranking  determined by a panel of contributors to ESPN's soccer.

Rank Player 23

Profile
Birth name                      Andrea Pirlo
Birth date                       May 19, 11979
Birth place                      Flero, Lombardy, Italy
Height                            1.77 m (5 ft 9 1⁄2 in)
Playing position               Midfielder
Current club                   Juventus
Number                         21

Biography
Andrea Pirlo 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 the best player in this position.  Praised for his inventive play and his long passing ability, he is also a set-piece specialist.

Scouting thumbnail
Deep-lying playmaker with subtle skill and vision. Can control the tempo of a game and generally delivers superb set pieces.