Andrea Pirlo
Being a philosopher is to think, seek wisdom, and have principles that guide and influence what you do. It's to give meaning to things, find your way in the world, believe that in the end, in every instance, good will overcome evil, even if there's a bit of suffering along the way.Collection: Wisdom
I stick to a Mediterranean diet with fresh produce and olive oil. On a normal day, my diet is divided into the three main meals. I don't eat any other snack between meals during the day.Collection: Diet
Messi is the best player in the world; he is amazing.Collection: Amazing
All I'm after is a few square metres to be myself. A space where I can continue to profess my creed: take the ball, give it to a team-mate, my team-mate scores. It's called an assist, and it's my way of spreading happiness.Collection: Happiness
After the wheel, the PlayStation is the best invention of all time.Collection: Best
Yes, many times an assist is more difficult than a goal; you need to find the right space and measure the force used in order to provide your teammate with the right position in order to score.Collection: Space
I played with Baggio when I was young. I grew up with his myth, and to actually play with him was like being in a dream. I tried to hang out with him, to study how he played and to learn from him.
I spent the afternoon of Sunday 9 July, 2006 in Berlin sleeping and playing the PlayStation. In the evening, I went out and won the World Cup.
In football, like in life, there are always millimetres which can change things - the course of a goal or of a life.
When you're rivals, you can never be friends.
Sometimes a pinch of sadism is the ingredient that makes victory taste that little bit sweeter.
I'm a bit of a wandering gypsy on the pitch.
As a player, you get to the stage where you realise that you are not 25 anymore - and can't play the way you used to. The intelligent players adapt - and Steven Gerrard has the ability to do that. He is an excellent passer of the ball, possesses an intelligent football brain, and has great vision.
Since I was a child, I watched tapes of Baggio, Zico, and Maradona, and then I tried to replicate them just playing on my own against the wall. Certainly it's talent, but you have to cultivate that talent.
To be useful in defence, to win back the ball, you don't always have to go sliding into the tackle. It's also about your positioning; sometimes all you have to do is take a step back.
Do I regret leaving Milan? I decided I needed a change. I needed to find new ideas, and that was the best thing for both parties.
Swearing's my release. It's the one weapon I have to defend myself against destiny when it elects to strike without pity.
It's not easy to win the Champions League.
On the first training session Pogba had with Juventus, the players were laughing. We were not laughing for any other reason than we were just in total disbelief that this player with so much obvious ability was able to leave the club the size of Manchester United for free - and I think Juventus are still laughing.
I'd have considered myself fortunate to be coached by Guardiola because he really puts his stamp on teams. He builds them, moulds them, guides them, berates them, nurtures them. He makes them great. He takes them to a higher level; a place beyond mere football.
I'm Italian, but I'm also a little Brazilian: Pirlonho, if you like.
I came to New York City as a player, so my objective is to take the team as high as possible, preferably to victory. If that helps Major League Soccer grow, then that's welcome, too, but I was signed as a New York City FC player and to do what's best for the team.
When I was a kid, I'd take a small foam ball and try to get my shot over the couch so it would finish in the corner of the window.
Each free kick carries my name, and all are my children. And they have South American roots.
The secret for someone in my position is to keep it simple. Keep possession and keep the ball moving quickly so that you tire out your opponents; that's my method.
If you look after yourself and are willing to adapt - there is no reason why you can't play at the top level until your late 30s.
I always play to win. I always have big targets in mind.
When great teams meet, there is never a problem with concentration.
There are many talented midfielders but not the kind of playmaker I am.
I still have a thorn in my side at not having played for Real Madrid or Barcelona, because playing there is a dream for every player. But I consider myself very satisfied to have played for the best teams in Italy.
Just being able to go out to dinner at the trendiest restaurants - in Italy, I can't do that.
Messi is always compared to Maradona, but he needs to win the World Cup because if you don't win the World Cup, you can't be up there with the very best.
My favourite England player is Harry Kane.
When I take my free-kicks, I think in Portuguese, and at most, I'll do the celebrating in my native tongue.
I've never told anyone, but my ambition is to become the leading all-time scorer of free kicks in Serie A.
Scoring from a dead-ball brings me massive satisfaction. It sets me up as an example for other players to follow, copy, and perhaps even emulate over the course of time. For them, I'm a Juninho Pernambucano 2.0, a Brazilian with a Brescia accent.
I'd have signed for Real in a heartbeat. They're a club with more glamour than Milan; more prospects, more appeal, more everything. They strike fear in their opponents, whoever they happen to be.
Being part of a team that belongs to everyone makes me feel good and at peace with myself.
If I look in the mirror when I get up or before going to bed at night, I see a man of average ugliness with stubble, an unruly mane of hair, a squint nose, slightly protruding ears, and bags under my eyes. But I also see a man who's completely happy with the figure staring back at him.
For many years, Messi and Ronaldo will be the two best. After them, there is Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and others. I hope to be in the top ten.
I have always said that it is fundamental to have a strong core of Italian players in a club squad. At AC Milan, we had that and we won. The same at Juventus.
When there is a solid base of Italian players, those who come in take their example, and then everyone is working in the same direction.
Pogba has never stopped improving. He has everything to become a great player. If he keeps his head on his shoulders, he can make history.
I am extremely lucky - I met Antonio Conte. I had so many coaches to compare him to, and he is the one that surprised me the most.
When you start to achieve success, you want to get more.
Right from the moment I arrived at Juve, I could immediately sense the club's will to win, the determination to go as far as possible as quickly as possible.
I've always been able to play for the love of the sport.
I think that soccer is one thing, and money is another thing.
I'm not one that cares for publicity.
I want to help the MLS grow and play well.