It’s almost been eight years since Andrea Pirlo retired from football, but he hasn’t lost his world-class free-kick abilities.
Pirlo is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time thanks to a glittering career for both club and country.
He most notably starred for AC Milan and had a beautiful finish to his career at Juventus. Pirlo made 116 appearances for Italy and won the World Cup with them in 2006.
Pirlo’s passing and creativity ensured he stood out on the pitch, with his free-kick technique also a sight to behold on many occasions.
And despite being 45 years old, he’s still able find the back of the net from distance as shown in a charity match for the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation on Sunday.
The Italian was selected in a Milan Glorie side facing Tottenham Legends, who won 6-2 in north London.
With around seven minutes left on the clock, Pirlo stood over a free-kick roughly 25 yards out from goal and let fly with a powerful effort.
It flew into the top-right corner in a stunning tribute to his playing days, and fans were in awe of what they saw.
Posting on X, one said: “Class is permanent.”
“It was so effortless,” another added.
Even the Spurs account appreciated his genius when they said: “It would be rude not to post this from from Pirlo. Legend.”
“It would be equally rude not to reply by saying timeless masterclass’,” Milan responded.
Robbie Keane scored a hat-trick for Spurs in their charity match win, with Jermain Defoe, Sandro and Michael Brown also netting.
Cristian Zaccardo found a consolation goal for Milan, but Pirlo’s strike was arguably the best of the lot.
Pirlo played for Italian sides Brescia and Inter Milan before signing for the latter’s rivals in 2001, where he made 401 appearances.
He won two Serie A titles and two Champions Leagues with Milan ahead of a switch to rivals Juventus in 2011.
A further four league titles came his way in Turin before he ended his career in MLS with New York City FC, retiring in 2017.
Pirlo has since got into management, with touchline spells coming at Juventus, Turkish club Fatih Karagumruk S.K. and Sampdoria.
