Australian Semi-Pro Team Try To Get Andrea Pirlo To Make Incredible One-Off Return To Football

Andrea Pirlo, one of the greatest central midfielders ever to play our great game, made his last professional appearance in November for New York City's 2-0 win over Columbus Crew after announcing he would retire once the 2017 MLS season was over and done with.

However, there's a quite incredible story coming out of Australia that the beautifully bearded Italian is in negotiations with Avondale FC about playing in their FFA Cup quarter-final clash with Sydney FC.

Avondale, who are a semi-pro side that play in the second tier, host the reigning champions at the ABD Stadium on September 19 and Fox Sports say say they are trying to thrash out a deal or the former Juventus, Inter and AC Milan star - with the club making contact with the 39-year old's agent and making him an offer.

Image: PA

It's even noted that money is not seen as a problem for Avondale, who are desperate to have a big name take to the field for the massive game.

And it's clear that Pirlo, a World Cup winner capped 116 times by the Azzurri, is the definition of that. He has won the Champions League twice and lifted the Scudetto six times with AC Milan and Juventus respectively.

But following on from the report, ESPN FC have got in touch with his management team and they say he isn't interested in coming out of retirement.

'Il Metronomo's most recent action on the pitch came in his star-studded testimonial at the San Siro. The game finished finished 7-7 and featured legends galore. From the likes of Filippo Inzaghi, who managed to bag a hat-trick in the testimonial, to Francesco Totti, Clarence Seedorf, Alessandro Del Piero and Alessandro Del Piero.

Not to mention Christian Vieri, Gianluigi Buffon, Rui Costa, Gennaro Gattuso, Paolo Maldini, Cafu and Luca Toni, among so many other iconic figures, including the only British representative, Frank Lampard - who played with Pirlo during his stint in New York.

Pirlo played a half for each side and received a standing ovation when he was rather fittingly replaced by his son, Niccolo - who was wearing his iconic No.21 shirt number.

Topics: Football News, Football, Andrea Pirlo, Australia, Italy

Josh Lawless

Josh is a writer who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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