Jump directly to the content
pirl down under

Andrea Pirlo set to come out of retirement to play for semi-professional side in Australia

The midfield genius hung up his boots last year after three seasons at New York City FC and now the World Cup winner could be tempted out of retirement with a big money offer from the Aussie minnows

ANDREA PIRLO could be set to come out of retirement to play for Australian semi-professional side Avondale FC.

The midfield maestro hung his boots up last November after three seasons with MLS side New York City FC.

 Andrea Pirlo could come out of retirement and play for Australian semi-pro side Avondale FC
3
Andrea Pirlo could come out of retirement and play for Australian semi-pro side Avondale FCCredit: AFP or licensors
Peter Crouch shows Andrea Pirlo how England celebrate winning at the World Cup

say the 39-year-old could make a one-off appearance for the National Premier League side Avondale in their Football Federation Australia (FFA) Cup quarter-final clash against top-tier Sydney FC next Wednesday.

Avondale have been in talks with the Italian World Cup winner for some time and fancy their chances pulling off a massive coup before next week’s game.

Should he temporarily play in Australia, he'd follow in the footsteps of fellow Juventus legend Alessandro De Piero, who spent two seasons with Sydney FC.

Pirlo was regarded as one of the best midfield operators of his generation.

 Andrea Pirlo retired last years after three seasons with New York City FC
3
Andrea Pirlo retired last years after three seasons with New York City FCCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Alessandro Del Piero spent two seasons at Sydney FC
3
Alessandro Del Piero spent two seasons at Sydney FCCredit: Getty Images - Getty

He won six Serie A and two Champions League titles with AC Milan and Juve.

But his career went up a level at Milan when boss Carlo Ancelotti convinced him to change his position from an attacking midfielder to deep-lying playmaker in front of the defence.

Smaller teams trying to land big-name signings is nothing new during the latter stages of the FFA Cup.

Hume City attempted to snap up Arda Turan when he was barred from playing for Barcelona due to their transfer embargo in 2015, only to fail due to a registration issue.

Andrea Pirlo has fun having a kick around with two baby daughters in his back garden
Topics