Andrea Pirlo will help to conduct Friday's Under-21 EURO draw in his role as tournament ambassador.WATCH FRIDAY'S DRAW LIVE Pirlo is back to represent a competition he first graced more than 18 years ago. Then, an Inter player in the midst of a couple of loan spells, Pirlo scored twice in the Azzurrini's 2-1 final victory over the Czech Republic. UEFA.com celebrates a career that subsequently took in two UEFA Champions League titles, a FIFA World Cup and a whole new level of cool.If you don't remember him'Keep calm and pass the ball to Pirlo' was written on a popular T-shirt among
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Andrea Pirlo to retire: how brilliant has he been?
The archetypal deep-lying playmaker and dead-ball maestro Andrea Pirlo has confirmed that he is quitting football following the end of New York City's league campaign. "You know when the time has come," the 38-year-old said. "Every day you have physical problems and you can't train as you would like to. At my age, it's fine to say enough is enough." UEFA.com applauds him off the pitch.What they said"His heart beats at 35-beats-per-minute. He's as cool as a cucumber."Gianluca Vialli, former Italy forward "When Andrea told me that he was joining us, the first thing I thought was: 'There is a God.'"
Andrea Bocelli to perform before final
If Real Madrid against Atlético Madrid in a UEFA Champions League final were not enough, the pre-match entertainment at the Stadio San Siro on Saturday promises to be an equally spectacular affair.It can now be revealed that world-famous Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will perform the UEFA Champions League anthem as the two teams line up before kick-off. As he does so, final ambassadors Javier Zanetti and Franco Baresi – icons of Internazionale Milano and AC Milan respectively – will present the trophy to the crowd. A spine-tingling prospect.Andrea Bocelli said: "I feel very honoured to have the opportunity to actively participate in this great evening, the UEFA Champions...