Andrea Pirlo (126 Viewers)

[Juventino[RUS]]

The way this book is written makes me cringe. Looks like it's trying too hard to be cool.

Not that I read it or anything, just going by the excerpts people are posting.

He sounds no where near as classy as he was made out to be.

He's not trying to be cool, he is evil enough boy

"Once upon a time, teams had players who were the very symbol of that club. Standard bearers. And
clubs would make a point of holding onto every piece of the flag: the pole, the rope, the fabric, the
prestige, the ability to catch the wind and, in some exceptional cases, make it change direction and
intensity. Nowadays, the only thing that counts is saving money. It’s about cutting salaries that those
same clubs had agreed.
When a club throws a tantrum, leaving out a player who’s refusing to take a wage cut, people often
react on instinct. They’ll pass instant judgment: “Aah, typical rich guy, won’t let a single penny go.
We normal folk go hungry and they want to hang on to their millions. They’re the real untouchables in
this country; worse than politicians, that lot. What a bunch of tight gits they are: the more they have,
the more they want.”
When I hear certain understandable gut reactions of that kind, a few questions come to mind.
They’re not in any particular order, and I don’t know how intelligent they are, but here goes: did the
directors have a gun to their head when they agreed that multi-million euro salary? Might it be the
case that once they realised they’d got their sums wrong, they blamed it all on the player, always an
easy sacrificial lamb?
How do people outside the dressing room know whether a player has to provide for a large family,
give something back to parents who’ve made sacrifices for him in the past or pay off debts for
relatives and friends? Are you telling me that the big cheeses, after organising all kinds of clandestine
dinners and secret meetings to get a player to their club and then showering him with gold, can
suddenly ask for it all back? Are they not the liars, those guys who, when it came down to it, weren’t
capable of keeping their word? How can an employer change at will the terms of a contract that he
himself set out?
It’s undeniable that we footballers are a fortunate bunch. But we’ve got our dignity. And at least
from that point of view, nobody can call us pirlas."

You can read it through the lines in this book, he is a rockstar and he knows it

 

Buy on AliExpress.com

[Linebreak]

He's not trying to be cool, he is evil enough boy

"Once upon a time, teams had players who were the very symbol of that club. Standard bearers. And
clubs would make a point of holding onto every piece of the flag: the pole, the rope, the fabric, the
prestige, the ability to catch the wind and, in some exceptional cases, make it change direction and
intensity. Nowadays, the only thing that counts is saving money. It’s about cutting salaries that those
same clubs had agreed.
When a club throws a tantrum, leaving out a player who’s refusing to take a wage cut, people often
react on instinct. They’ll pass instant judgment: “Aah, typical rich guy, won’t let a single penny go.
We normal folk go hungry and they want to hang on to their millions. They’re the real untouchables in
this country; worse than politicians, that lot. What a bunch of tight gits they are: the more they have,
the more they want.”
When I hear certain understandable gut reactions of that kind, a few questions come to mind.
They’re not in any particular order, and I don’t know how intelligent they are, but here goes: did the
directors have a gun to their head when they agreed that multi-million euro salary? Might it be the
case that once they realised they’d got their sums wrong, they blamed it all on the player, always an
easy sacrificial lamb?
How do people outside the dressing room know whether a player has to provide for a large family,
give something back to parents who’ve made sacrifices for him in the past or pay off debts for
relatives and friends? Are you telling me that the big cheeses, after organising all kinds of clandestine
dinners and secret meetings to get a player to their club and then showering him with gold, can
suddenly ask for it all back? Are they not the liars, those guys who, when it came down to it, weren’t
capable of keeping their word? How can an employer change at will the terms of a contract that he
himself set out?
It’s undeniable that we footballers are a fortunate bunch. But we’ve got our dignity. And at least
from that point of view, nobody can call us pirlas."

You can read it through the lines in this book, he is a rockstar and he knows it

The Russian Commentators call him Pirla?

 

[Juventino[RUS]]

The Russian Commentators call him Pirla?

-LO

- - - Updated - - -

The way this book is written makes me cringe. Looks like it's trying too hard to be cool.

Not that I read it or anything, just going by the excerpts people are posting.

while Roy Hodgson mispronounced my name. He called
me Pirla (dickhead), perhaps understanding my true nature more than the other managers.

 

[Lion]

A lot of players dont sound very claddy the moment they open their mouths


its why I dont read anything that del piero wrote. Dont wanna ruin my image of him

 

[Juventino[RUS]]

"We’re still good friends and, as such, we’ve talked a fair
bit about what went on. It’s no secret he and Galliani didn’t see eye to eye from the moment problemsarose in his contract renewal negotiations. Mr Bic offered a one-year deal and Paolo wasn’t having
it: he felt hard done by and diminished."

Mr Bic Galliani

"It’s perhaps difficult to understand, and even harder to explain, but whenever we heard the whir of
his helicopter at Milanello, it sparked a positive feeling deep within us. We were like abandoned
dogs furiously wagging our tails at the return of our master."

"And then, out of the corner of his eye, he’d spy that Ancelotti was about to walk
past and suddenly he’d break off. “Carlo, son, remember that I want to see the team play with two
strikers.”
How could he forget? He’d heard it a billion times. He and everyone else.
“Another thing, Carlo. We need to own the pitch and boss the game. In Italy, in Europe, throughout
the world.”
They’d debate tactics, but the final decision always lay with the coach. If you’ll pardon my French,
Ancelotti had massive balls. A big guy with a big personality."


I heard it many times - whenever Sylvio had a visit at Milanello, Milan has starting to play better

Whatever you think of Gila’s little quirk, it’s considerably better than the more invasive ritual
favoured by Filippo Inzaghi. Simply put, he crapped. Crapped a hell of a lot. That isn’t a bad thing in
itself, but the fact he’d do it at the ground, in our dressing room, just before the game, got on ournerves somewhat. Especially if the dressing room was small – a stink like that in such a confined
space can get a little overpowering. Often he’d go three or four times in the space of 10 minutes.
“It brings me luck, boys,” he’d say.
I’d heard that was the case if you stepped in it. That producing it and smelling it had the same effect
was certainly news to me.
“It doesn’t do much for us, Pippo,” we’d say. “What have you been eating, anyway – a dead
body?”
Inzaghi’s answer was always the same. “Plasmons.”

Stinky Pippo

The whole chapter 14 is about Andrea Agnelli, must read:

Spoiler

His uncle was known as the avvocato, his father was the dottore,
and he’s plain old Andrea. A
simple title for a special man who’s cut from the same cloth as all the other Agnelli. Lamb by name,lion by nature and never, ever caged. Always free to mingle with the common man.
Andrea is one of us, and one of them – he’s a fan with special privileges because his words have
the power to get the players on their feet and into action. The team belongs to him and to everyone:
it’s a communist co-operative at the heart of a capitalist state. He pays, the others celebrate, then he
can rejoice as well.
Juventus isn’t his plaything. It’s something greater: a family passion, a private property that
remains extremely public. A cause that he’s inherited, cultivated, made bigger. He’s a president, the
president. Coming from the past to build the future. The present certainly exists as a crucial point on
the bianconero timeline, but somehow it’s also fleeting.
The president’s motto is “Work, work, and more work”. The reality is he doesn’t need to but, for
him, it’s an insatiable desire. “The only way to win,” he calls it. “The one path that will take you to
your most ambitious goals.”
His passion for Juventus is almost pathological. Friends of the club are always welcome, but its
enemies must be stopped, as soon as humanly possible. He’s not a nasty man by nature but if you’re
against him, you’ll see that side. He always fights fire with fire: any perceived slight against Juventus
is a slap in the face for him, and he’ll react. He’ll roar, grapple and hit out, with words that have the
gravity of a sentence issued by a judge.
From the team’s point of view, he’s a very kind and caring president. He never raises his voice
with us, however things are going. He’ll be there by our side in sickness and in health until death do
us part, because he’s married to us and the club. His first thought is for us, and only then will he
worry about himself. He loves us and we’re all very aware of that fact.
Just like Conte, he knows what needs said and when, even if his tone is softer and less strident. He
could talk about figures like Gianni and Umberto Agnelli but never does. He could go on about
Michel Platini, Roberto Baggio, maybe even Alessandro Del Piero, but they don’t enter the
conversation either.
He’ll never go into detail about a particular dynasty or team from the club’s past. He doesn’t like
making comparisons because it might cause embarrassment and that’s just not his style. Many times,
however, I’ve heard him say: “It’s a privilege to play for Juventus. It’s a beautiful thing, written into
only a few people’s destiny, and you should always thank your lucky stars that you’re here. Everyone
who’s played for this club has won something sooner or later. One trophy, 10, a hundred. This club is
everything, and it needs to be everything for you as well. You need to be Juventus to the very core of
your being, always striving for further glory, for yourself and for the club. Take your lead from those
who came before you. Be that inspiration for those who’ll follow.”
One brick and then another: happiness for him derives from a pretty straightforward plan.
Even when he’s talking about something else, it always comes back to Juventus. The season after
we won the title in Trieste, we were suffering a bit of a dip, and he started discussing the RyderCup in golf, another sport he adores. “Boys, there’s this competition that takes place every two years
where the strongest golfers in Europe and the United States play against each other. It’s the absolute
ultimate, the noblest thing they can be involved in. It’s a real heaven on earth for these guys.”
In 2012 it took place at Medinah Country Club, not far from Chicago.
“At the end of the first two days, the Americans were 10-6 up. They were on the verge of winning
and making that ultimate dream a reality. They needed only four-and-a-half points and, for anyone
who doesn’t know, that’s not really a lot. The Europeans, on the other hand, needed to win eight of the
12 singles matches to draw level and hold onto their trophy.”
In essence, he was talking about people who wear caps with visors on their heads. Who go about
with clubs in their hands and shiny shoes on their feet. Two groups of well-to-do gentlemen out for a
stroll on perfect lawns. And yet he had us utterly captivated. He was pushing all the right buttons and
we really got into the story. There was complete silence in that room, as if we were all holding our
breath at the side of those greens in Illinois.
“During the last day of play, the Europeans pulled off a miracle. They didn’t just draw; they won.
Through sheer force of will. And will can take you everywhere, boys. It can tear down walls, give
you wings and destroy differences. The Americans were absolutely powerless as they watched the
greatest comeback in the history of the Ryder Cup taking shape before their eyes. They were swept
away by that force, caught up in it against their will.
“The newspapers over there called it 'The Miracle of Medinah’. Boys, let’s not give up. Let’s give
it everything we’ve got. Every last ounce within us.”
Call me mad, but his words sent a shiver down my spine. Just for a moment, he reminded me of Al
Pacino and his extraordinary performance in Any Given Sunday, the cult film where he plays an
American football coach. Unforgettable words – cinema to make your heart race. I looked at our
president and saw Pacino as he delivered his lesson in that husky voice. “Either we heal as a team, or
we’re gonna crumble. Inch by inch, play by play. Until we’re finished. We’re in hell right now,
gentlemen. Believe me. And, we can stay here, get the shit kicked out of us, or we can fight our way
back into the light. We can climb outta hell ... one inch at a time. But I can’t do it for ya.”
The president and I hit it off straight away. We broke the ice the day I signed my contract in front of
the camera crews and photographers at the Juventus HQ on Turin’s Corso Galileo Ferraris.
“I’m pleased you’re here, Andrea,” he said.
“I’m here to win, Andrea,” I replied.
“Hearing those words makes me happy.”
Andrea made an excellent first impression on me, and I’d like to think the feeling is mutual. It was
footballing love at first sight; something that was in no way guaranteed when you consider where I
was arriving from.
As I’ve got to know him, I’ve realised we have another thing in common: as soon as he wins a
trophy, he immediately wants to win another. He’s never content to settle – he’s quickly learned howyou beat the big guns.
He’s also given Juventus their old mentality back. It’s one that really used to get on my wick as an
opposition player. You always knew that they’d fight to the death and give every last drop of sweat.
They’d never hold back: they’d get kicked and they’d get straight back up again. They’d score a goal
and you just knew they’d get another one a few minutes later. You’d try to intimidate them and they’d
just get angry. And when they were cross, they seemed to perform even better.
The whole Calciopoli thing lent a hand to the Juventus team of that time. But to my dying day, I’ll
remain convinced they would have won the same number of trophies relying on their own means,
without any kind of external assistance.
And that’s why I wore a t-shirt with the slogan '30 [titles] won on the pitch’ after we clinched the
league in Trieste. I came from a world that went to war with Juventus over what happened but, for
me, a title that’s taken away and then not assigned or handed to another team remains an honour
you’ve won. If you’re not a bianconero, or if you don’t become one as I did, you’ll never understand.
Winning that title was a return to normality, a soft landing delayed for several years by turbulence.
It’s certainly helped that Andrea’s a combative president, but also someone with no airs or graces
who lives his life like any other man his age.
He’s happy to stroll about Turin in his jeans and stop
to talk to anyone. He answers supporters’ questions, takes their advice on board, listens to their
criticisms. He’ll explain where he’s coming from and doesn’t hide away. He lives and breathes the
city and understands what people are thinking. I’d love to see him become mayor one day.
After the first scudetto won on his watch, he came to celebrate with us at the Cacao club in the
city’s Parco del Valentino. He really let his hair down, dancing, drinking and even having a go on the
karaoke. I can’t remember whether the song he picked was Fuck You by Marco Masini (even though
he’s a Fiorentina fan) but I’d really like to think so. A special dedication to those who’d refused to
believe.
To us players, he said thanks. “You’re my pride and joy. I’ve been president only for a short while,
and you’ve given me an extraordinary gift. I knew we’d become the best in Italy, but I thought it
would take us longer. Ah, but Italy’s not enough for me any more!”
In my head, I could hear the Champions League theme tune. Andrea winked at me. Andrea Agnelli:
100 per cent Agnelli.

 

[Hydde]

Those were some nice words from Pirlo to andrea

This words from agnelli are nothign short of legendary:

“It’s a privilege to play for Juventus. It’s a beautiful thing, written into
only a few people’s destiny, and you should always thank your lucky stars that you’re here. Everyone
who’s played for this club has won something sooner or later. One trophy, 10, a hundred. This club is
everything, and it needs to be everything for you as well. You need to be Juventus to the very core of
your being, always striving for further glory, for yourself and for the club. Take your lead from those
who came before you. Be that inspiration for those who’ll follow.”

This shid should be crafted in a stone tablet and put in the room where the players sign their contracts. 100% true.


Some lol words from Pirlo regarding golf: beware Pirlo that andre do not read this XD

In essence, he was talking about people who wear caps with visors on their heads. Who go about
with clubs in their hands and shiny shoes on their feet. Two groups of well-to-do gentlemen out for a
stroll on perfect lawns.

Lol pirlo think golfists are shid

And guys...what the fuk with this paragraph?:

The whole Calciopoli thing lent a hand to the Juventus team of that time. But to my dying day, I’ll
remain convinced they would have won the same number of trophies relying on their own means,
without any kind of external assistance.

FAKE FAN!!!

 

[Juventino[RUS]]

Chapter 17 about Del Piero wow

"Never once did Alessandro complain in front of his team-mates; he always showed great dignity.
You wouldn’t see much of him in the dressing room during the week – he had his own personal
trainer to put him through his paces because, after all, the perfect engine deserves special care and
attention. In the mornings, he’d always arrive before everyone else, get changed and hole himself up
in a little gym a few metres along from the one used by the rest of the squad. He’d join the main group
only when the balls appeared and it was time to work on the technical stuff. When we needed him, he
was there, and we were very aware of his presence. We were all pretty sad that a true champion like
him had to leave, particularly when the team (his team) had just started winning again.
Even though we knew how the story would end, it was still upsetting. After all, we’re talking about
one of the most historic standard bearers in Juventus history. And when I say historic, I’m talking
about his influence as well as his age.
I don’t know exactly what went on between him and president Agnelli. I couldn’t tell you which
internal mechanism stopped working or what little bug got into the system – I’ve never thought it
appropriate to ask. I’ve got huge respect for both men, and there must be a valid reason for them
having reached the end of the line. It’s purely their business, a private matter that all started with
differing views on a contract extension that never actually materialised.
It’s a shame really, because Del Piero still had plenty to offer Juventus. A guy like him is always
going to come in handy. Great people and exemplary professionals are the sort of folks I’d want at my
side 24 hours a day and Alessandro is both those things.
It’s not by chance that he’s had such a world-class career. Even in those latter days, he’d still put
on a masterclass of nobility whenever he got some game-time. The very essence of beauty presented
in summary form: a few pages, a brief look, and you’d learned the lesson. Those moments were hischance to become a child again, even if he wasn’t far away from hitting 40. More than once, he cried
in front of everyone, holding nothing back. Just as a kid would, in fact.
After his penultimate appearance in a Juventus jersey (a home game against Atalanta in May 2012),
he was finally overwhelmed by all the emotions he’d managed to keep a lid on up till then. His ego,
his desire to be involved, that need to feel like a true bianconero. He flooded the dressing room with
tears, and we did the same, both with him and for him. And then we said goodbye before he headed
off to Sydney.
Alessandro chose the other side of the world to start over and carry on his career. It couldn’t have
gone any other way, really. If he’d stayed in Italy or moved to another league close by, he’d have just
ended up feeling terribly homesick. Juventus is an almost physical attraction for him: it’s like putting
one magnet next to another."

Brilliant quote
Alex

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

God, I hate thinking about the fact that Del Piero could and should still be part of this team.

 

[Juventino[RUS]]

God, I hate thinking about the fact that Del Piero could and should still be part of this team.

he should have been here, but conte had other plan

"Generally speaking, I reckon I’m a fairly switched-on guy. I’ve an opinion about everything and
I’m not ashamed to express it, defend it and, where necessary, shout it from the rooftops"

that's my boy


As do the
directors of Al-Sadd, the Qatari club who qualified for the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup.
When my agent Tinti rings and gets straight to the point without bothering to say hello, you know
there’s something serious going down. “Andrea, the guys from Qatar want you.”
“Come again?”
“You’re going to play in Qatar.”
“Are you mad? I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying it’s too soon.”
My last season at Milan was on the home straight and I didn’t have the slightest intention of
emigrating.
“But even Guardiola played over there.”
“Yes, at the end of his career.”
“Okay then. But you need to go and meet them, just to be polite.”
“Fine – when do they arrive?”
“They’re already in Milan. Stick on a tie – I’ll come and pick you up in an hour.”
They were waiting for me at the Principe di Savoia, a fabulously luxurious hotel close to the main
train station, where David Beckham stayed during his time at Milan. The Qataris had booked out an
enormous suite and in it were the club’s owner, a few directors and a swarm of lawyers.
“Ciao, your contract’s ready.”
“Good day to you as well; it’s an honour to meet you ...”
“You’ll look great in our strip.”
“Pleasure to meet you, my name’s Andrea Pirlo.”
“You don’t have to make up your mind straight away. We’ll give you a few minutes to think it
over.”
“In truth, I’ve only come here to find out who you are.”
There was something of a linguistic incompatibility at work, a fissure in the space/time continuum.
They were travelling in the future while I focused on the present. Even so, they made a good
impression. That was the day I discovered that Father Christmas does exist.
“Andrea, how many kids have you got?” they asked.
“Two.”
“Well, we’ve an excellent English language school in Qatar.”
“I actually quite like hearing them speak Italian.”
“No problem. We’ll build a new one and employ only Italian teachers. Are you a fan of cars?”
“Yes ...”
“Great. We’d be delighted if you’d accept a few Ferraris as a gift.”
“A few?”
“And if you find yourself missing Italy, there will always be a private jet sat on the runway for
you.”
“But ...”“The contract’s ready. It’s for four years.”
“Thanks but ...”
“It’s for 40 million Euros.”
At that point Tinti almost passed out.
“40 million over four years, not per season. You’ll understand we can’t go overboard, what with
the financial crisis.”
“Ah yes, I understand.”
“But if 10 million a year isn’t enough, don’t worry, let’s talk.”
It was all too much. If I’d asked them to reclaim the desert, perhaps they would have said 'yes’. To
avoid further temptation, I forced myself to end the chat.
“Many thanks, but I can’t,” I said. “Signing for you would mean signalling the end of my career,
and I still think I’ve got a lot to give in Europe, in Italy. If I change my mind, I’ll be in touch in a year
or two.”
“11 million.”
“Tullio, let’s go.”
“Twelve.”
“Tullio.”
“Thirteen.”
I had to basically drag away my agent, who was in a state of ecstasy. We made our escape. I
looked at my watch and realised the time was 21:21. My favourite number, twice over. Destiny was
whispering softly in my ear: “You did the right thing in there.”
My dad was born on the 21st. It’s also the day I got married and made my debut in Serie A. It
became my shirt number early on and I’ve never let it go. It brings me luck, and that’s the reason this
book stops at 20 chapters. I like to think that the next one is made up of blank pages, waiting to be
filled with other tales and experiences yet to be written.
And one thing’s for sure – I’ve got a pen.

Now imagine what these boys from Qatar gave to the boys in FIFA.....


Absolutely must-read biography, don't waste your time and read it, it's brilliant

 

[Ragazza]

I have the Italian version, got it when it first came out. Kinda want to get the English version now too just to see what the differences are, my understanding of Italian (which I'm not fluent in, so parts of it were difficult to get through) vs. the translation.

 

[AFL_ITALIA]

I love this man. So, so much

I have the Italian version, got it when it first came out. Kinda want to get the English version now too just to see what the differences are, my understanding of Italian (which I'm not fluent in, so parts of it were difficult to get through) vs. the translation.

Haven't seen you in a while.

- - - Updated - - -

Why is it out of print?

http://www.amazon.com/Andrea-Pirlo-Think-Therefore-Play/dp/1909430161

 

[Ragazza]

I love this man. So, so much



Haven't seen you in a while.

- - - Updated - - -

Why is it out of print?

http://www.amazon.com/Andrea-Pirlo-Think-Therefore-Play/dp/1909430161

Yeah, I took a break from most forums for a bit, but then realized I miss this crazy place.

Hmm, maybe it's still not available in the US? The Italian version wasn't, but I'll be surprised if the English version isn't either. To get the original, I had to make a UK Amazon account (had done this to get Zanetti's book already). Realistically, I could have bought it from a reseller who was willing to ship to the US, but I wanted it on day one.

Sure, it likely won't sell well here compared to in Europe, so it might not make sense to send copies to bookstores here. But I don't know why they can't make it available for Americans to buy on Amazon without jumping through a bunch of hoops.

 

[AFL_ITALIA]

I think I'll buy and read it over the summer. Hopefully I can get it then.

 

[Ragazza]

You can also try eBay if Amazon still isn't selling it. Right now I only see a few Italian versions on there but it's possible once someone finishes their copy that they might try to resell it.

 

[ALC]

He sounds no where near as classy as he was made out to be.

I don't think that's it. Just whoever wrote the book for him took a little too much artistic liberty with it imo.

 

[Ragazza]

From the excerpts I've read from the English version, for some reason he does sound more "asshole-ish" than the Italian version. In the original, I took a lot of it more as being sarcastic/dry humor, but in English it seems more serious, dunno if that's just me.

 

[Badass J Elkann]

You can also try eBay if Amazon still isn't selling it. Right now I only see a few Italian versions on there but it's possible once someone finishes their copy that they might try to resell it.

Check the link i posted a few pages back. Uploaded a pdf copy for those who cant get a copy in their respective regions

 

[JuveJay]

The way this book is written makes me cringe. Looks like it's trying too hard to be cool.

Pirlo trying hard to be cool? Please.

 

[icemaη]

If anything he has the arrogance seen in most genius artists.

 

[Elvin]

Just finished his entire book. Amazing read. His quotes on Juve and Del Piero are just