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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 8: Former New York City FC player Andrea Pirlo waves to fans prior to the MLS match against Orlando City at Yankee Stadium on March 8, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Vincent Carchietta/Getty Images)
Italy legend Andrea Pirlo feels he’d play in the Premier League if he were still in activity and is ‘sad’ to see Italy out of the World Cup for the third time in a row: ‘Nothing has changed’ in Serie A.
Former Juventus, Milan and Italy star Pirlo released an interview with Gazzetta on the state of Italian football days before the Champions League Final between PSG and Arsenal.
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Pirlo: ‘I’d be playing in the Premier League now’
Serie A giants Inter qualified for the Final both in 2023 and 2025 and remain the last Serie A club to have lifted the cup with the big ears in 2010.
What’s missing to Italian club to return to the top of Europe?
“A bit of everything, including the mentality to play a different kind of football,” Pirlo said.
“If you look at the teams reaching the finals, they always play attacking football. Obviously, they can also make investments we can’t afford. Once upon a time, the best players used to come to Italy; now they go elsewhere. This is the difference.
“We’d need to make rules to incentivise clubs to invest. Unfortunately, we’ve been out of the World Cup three times in a row, and nothing has changed.”
Asked whether he’d play in Serie A if he were still a footballer, Pirlo replied: “At this moment, with Italy no longer among the top leagues, I’d surely play in the Premier League.”
“I’m sad that Italy have not qualified for the World Cup for three consecutive times. My sons would love to watch Italy, and I’d love it too,” he continued.
“The World Cup is a moment for everyone to stay united, and when the national team plays, it’s always nice. You remember what you were doing and who was with you at that moment since you were a kid. Unfortunately, missing out on three qualifications is sad for everyone.”
A two-time Champions League winner with Milan and a World Cup champion with Italy, Pirlo was asked which his favourite trophy is: “The World Cup is surely a dream for everyone. As a kid, you dream of playing in the World Cup at least once, hoping to lift the trophy. I was lucky enough to do so, and I think it is priceless. You don’t just play for the club, you represent your country and play for an entire nation,” he concluded.
ByLorenzo Bettoni
Lorenzo Bettoni is the Editor of Football Italia.
