Andrea Pirlo: "I'd have crawled to Barcelona on all fours"

Legendary Italian midfielder, Andrea Pirlo, who is set to retire following the World Cup in Brazil has come out with a revealing biography titled ai???I Think Therefore I Playai??i?? where he talks about how he was ready to crawl on all fours to Barcelona after Pep Guardiola tried to sign him in 2010.

Andrea Pirlo spoke about his admiration for Pep Guardiola and how he was thrilled when the Catalan manager asked him to join Barcelona following Zlatanai??i??s exit the same summer.

Following their preseason tournament at Camp Nou, Pirlo was invited to Guardiolaai??i??s office as the manager tried to convince him to leave Milan and come play for him at Barcelona.

Guardiola was saving his words for me. Taking advantage of the spotlight being momentarily trained not on him but Ibrahimovic, he invited me into his office.As I came out of the dressing room, I’d noticed one of his childhood friends and trusted lieutenants waiting there for me.

Talking about his interview with Guardiola, Andrea Pirlo comes across as a man much in awe of the manager. He reveals how the Catalan manager tried to convinve him to sign for Barcelona, calling him a world-class player who would be joining a team of champions.

ai???We need you here, Andrea.ai???

You could tell he wasn’t a man to beat about the bush. After a couple of minutes, he’d cut straight to the chase.

“We’re already very strong, I really couldn’t ask for better, but you’d be the icing on the cake. We’re looking for a midfielder to alternate with Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets, and that midfielder is you. You’ve got all the attributes to play for Barcelona, and one in particular ai??i?? you’re world class.”

The book also reveals how Milan had earlier rejected Barcelonaai??i??s offer for Pirlo without even consulting the player and that Guardiola decided to approach the player directly.

“You know what, Andrea: we’ve made this approach because that’s how we do things round here. We don’t waste time. We want to buy you right now, and we’ve already spoken to Milan. They’ve said ‘no’, but we’ll not give up: we’re Barcelona. We’re used to hearing certain answers but, in the end, things pretty much always change. We’ll try again with Milan. In the meantime, start making a few moves with them as well.”

“If you come here, you’ll find yourself in a unique place. La Masia, our youth academy, is our pride and joy ai??i?? there’s nothing like it at any other club. It runs like clockwork; it’s a philharmonic orchestra where bum notes aren’t permitted. Every year, players arrive from there ready to wear our shirt.ai???

“You’ve got to come here, Andrea. I’ve always liked you as a player. I want to coach you.”

“Even though Milan have said ‘no’ for the moment, we’re not giving up. Let’s see what happens.”

Pirlo reveals his admiration for Guardiola, a manager branded by Zlatan as a 'philosopher' — Pirlo reveals his admiration for Guardiola, a manager branded by Zlatan as a ‘philosopher’

The player reveals his interest in Barcelona and declared that he would have crawled to Barcelona on all fours, showing how impressed he was with the brand of football practiced by the Catalans.

As with Real Madrid (in fact, even more so than with Real Madrid), I’d have crawled to Barcelona on all fours. At that time, they were the best team in the world ai??i?? what more needs to be said? Their brand of football hadn’t been seen in a long time; all little first-time passes and an almost insane ability to maintain possession.

Theirs was a basic philosophy ai??i?? “the ball’s ours, and we’re going to keep it” ai??i?? mixed with intuitive understanding and movement so impressive that it seemed orchestrated by God himself. A Rolex with Swatch batteries. Utterly refined, extremely long lasting.

“Let’s talk again soon,” said Guardiola. “Have a safe journey back to Milan and let’s hope you’re not there for long.”

“Thanks again. It’s been a very interesting chat.”

Drawing similarities between Ibrahimovic and himself, Andrea showed how he desperate he was to be coached by Guardiola but reveals that it was Milan who decided to put their foot down with transfer negotiations.

The discussions went on for a while and, ultimately, Milan didn’t give in. I suppose it was always going to go like that. Back then, they still thought I had all my faculties and so they kept me, without ever getting involved in full-on negotiations. There were words, brief chats, a little bit of back and forth, but nothing more substantial.

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. Ibrahimovic thought he was insulting him when he called him “The Philosopher”, but when you think about it, that’s actually a nice compliment.

Ai??

Andrea Pirlo: “I’d have crawled to Barcelona on all fours”

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