Italian football legend Andrea Pirlo recently revealed that he had signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid in 2006, shortly after winning the World Cup with Italy amidst the Calciopoli scandal. During that tumultuous period, with the uncertainty surrounding Milan’s status in Serie A, Pirlo had reached an agreement with Fabio Capello and Real Madrid. However, Milan’s decision to continue in Serie A led Pirlo to stay with the club, as confirmed in an interview with Radio Serie A.
Pirlo recounted how Milan’s then-vice president, Adriano Galliani, presented a contract and, after negotiations with his agent, they decided to extend his adventure with the Rossoneri. This revelation came as Pirlo revisited the challenging times of Calciopoli and the subsequent decisions he faced regarding his future.
Furthermore, Pirlo disclosed another opportunity to move to Spain when Barcelona expressed interest in signing him a few years later. This occurred during a meeting between Pirlo, Pep Guardiola, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic after a match between Milan and Barcelona in the Trofeo Gamper in 2010. Guardiola inquired about Pirlo’s availability to join Barcelona, expressing his admiration for the midfielder. Although discussions took place, Pirlo ultimately remained at Milan, and the proposed move did not materialize.
Reflecting on the potential opportunity to play for Barcelona alongside players like Xavi and Andres Iniesta, Pirlo acknowledged that it would have been a technically skilled midfield. Despite the allure of such an experience, Pirlo expressed contentment with staying at Milan, where he was surrounded by numerous champions.
In 2011, Pirlo eventually left Milan when his contract expired, joining Juventus under the management of Antonio Conte. During his four-year tenure with Juventus, Pirlo made significant contributions, scoring 19 goals in 164 games for the club. Pirlo’s journey, marked by potential moves to Real Madrid and Barcelona, adds intriguing layers to his illustrious football career.
Leave a Reply