Veteran Italian reflects on his illustrious career with the European giants and expresses his sadness at leaving his friends and team-mates
May 23, 2011 10:00:00 PM
Departing midfielder Andrea Pirlo has defined losing the 2004-05 Champions League final to Liverpool in Istanbul as “the worst moment” in his AC Milan career.
The 32-year-old played his last game as a Milan player on Sunday evening in a goalless draw with Udinese in Serie A. It was his 400th official appearance for the Italian champions and was presented with a celebratory medal by the club’s CEO Adriano Galliani.
Reflecting on his 10-year career at Milan, Pirlo expressed his disbelief at losing to Liverpool six years ago in the final of Europe’s most prestigious club competition. Then coached by Carlo Ancelotti, the European giants were 3-0 up against the English club at one stage, but conceded three times in the second-half and eventually lost the game 3-2 on penalties.
“I have two wonderful memories: the first time I put on the Milan shirt and the first time we won the Champions League [against Juventus in 2003],” Pirlo is quoted as saying by Milan’s official website.
“The worst moment was losing in Istanbul. I still don’t understand how we let that game out of our hands.”
The Italy international, who won the Champions League with Milan again in 2007 defeating Liverpool in the final, further looked back at his time with the club and enthused: “400 games are a lot, especially if you play for a team as important as Milan.
"I was moved when I said goodbye at Milanello during the week: it’s tough to leave your teammates and friends, with whom you shared a lot of memorable moments, but this is part of football.
“Life goes on. I leave [Alessandro] Nesta, a great friend, but we’ll continue seeing each other. It’s not easy to say goodbye to your teammates, to the club employees, to everyone with whom I spent together these 10 years.”
Pirlo has been heavily linked with Juventus and will reportedly sign a three-year deal with the Turin club.
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Sorry to be your party pooper mate !!
