Born in 1979, Andrea Pirlo began his football career with Brescia. Inter’s manager Lucescu impressed with the young playmaker’s performances at Brescia, opted to sign him on a permanent deal. Pirlo struggled to find consistent first-team experience in Milan and was subsequently loaned out.
It was during the loan back to his native Brescia where, alongside Italian legend Roberto Baggio, he grew to greater strengths. Following a seventh position that exceeded expectations, Inter facilitated Pirlo’s move to the infamous Curva Sud of Milan.
With AC Milan, Pirlo was instrumental in their historic onslaught of trophy excesses, claiming two Champions Leagues, two UEFA Super Cups, two Serie A titles, FIFA club world cup and Coppa Italia. In 2011, the questionable release of Pirlo to Juventus had Rossoneri fans left scratching their heads.
Featuring for the Old Lady, he helped clinch four Serie titles, two Super Coppas, a Coppa Italia and book an unexpected Champions League final against Barcelona that concluded with defeat.
As Italy’s fourth-most capped international player, he won the World Cup in 2006 and reached the Euro 2012 finals.
As of July 2015, Andrea Pirlo plays for MLS side New York City FC.
Other sporting stars born on this very day:
1949: Archie Manning, former NFL quarterback who regularly played for the New Orleans Saints, wearing their jersey for ten full seasons. (66)
1976: Kevin Garnett, American power forward who led the Minnesota Timberwolves to eight consecutive playoff appearances. Nine-time member of the All-NBA Teams selection and twelve-time member of All-Defensive Teams selection, he is currently tied for third-most All-Star selections in NBA history. (40)
1981: Georges St-Pierre, MMA fighter and former three-time UFC welterweight champion. The Canadian is regarded as one of the greatest of all time, holding record for most title bout wins and second longest combined title streak in 2013. (35)
1990: Víctor Ibarbo, Columbian international striker who has featured for Cagliari, Watford and Atletico Nacional. (