Will Andrea Pirlo make a sensational return at Euro 2016?

Upon announcing his retirement from the international game after the Azzurri’s shock group-stage exit from the 2014 World Cup two summers ago, the European footballing scene was slowly forced to accept its upcoming fate without the enigmatic figure of Andrea Pirlo solidly among the action.

 

The former Italian international simply served to impress fans with his elegant style of play in the middle of the park, unrivalled intelligence all across the pitch for his respective manager, and unquestionable ability to boss certain matches when the circumstances proved favourable.

 

However, after experiencing a brief spell among the MLS with the newly established New York City F.C. this season, it seems the 36-year-old holding midfielder has seemingly rediscovered his love for representing his nation, and apparently looks set on joining up with Antonio Conte’s side at Euro 2016 this summer.

 

So then, has such an opportunity simply arrived far too late for the former Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus midfielder, or could Andrea Pirlo in-fact make a sensational return at Euro 2016 this summer after all?

 

Well, after speaking with a succession of Italian news outlets in recent weeks, the modern day Renaissance man of Beautiful Game certainly seems keen on the prospect of playing at Euro 2016 with all things considered…

 

“Of course, I want to be there. It will depend on my performances with my team though. The Coach [Antonio Conte] will make his choices on his own terms and decide.”

 

Pirlo’s decision to reignite his form back among the international scene hasn’t gone unnoticed on social media recently either, with many Pirlo-fans hoping to see the Italian midfield maestro do his thing at Euro 2016 this summer…

 

Tough for @azzurri will love to see @Pirlo_official for probably the last time⚽⚽ #EURO2016

— Iamwillibroad (@Willibroad6) December 12, 2015

 

@azzurri @Pirlo_official we believe that Pirlo will lead Azzurri to glory in #EURO2016

— jabri (@jabri7777) December 28, 2015

 

However, do Italy really need to call upon the current New York City F.C. man once more when all is said and done? The answer could well be, no.

 

Antonio Conte already has the likes of Marco Verratti, Claudio Marchisio, Daniele De Rossi, Antonio Candreva and Ricardo Montolivo to rely upon when Euro 2016 finally comes around, as well as a whole host of other emerging Italian midfielders relatively new to the Azzurri set-up at this particular stage in the proceedings.

 

Although none of the aforementioned players are admittedly able to match Andrea Pirlo’s own specific skill-set on an individual level, neither of them remain too far behind the Italian veteran in the cold light of day – especially as the former Serie A favourite now goes about his business at the grand old age of 36-years-old.

 

Yes, Pirlo has never seemingly relied upon a rapid quick sense of pace in the past, but as Antonio Conte has ultimately been tasked with building a team for the future this season, perhaps the current New York City F.C. midfielder’s time among the international scene has well and truly come to an end with everything fairly taken into account.

 

Yet because players like Andrea Pirlo don’t exactly crop up all the time within the European footballing circuit, maybe Euro 2016 could actually represent one last hurrah for the 36-year-old from a slightly different perspective. He would seemingly give the entire Italian camp a boost both on and off the field this summer, which could potentially make Conte’s job a whole lot easier in the end.

 

Form is temporary, and class is meant to be permanent after all – is it not? Perhaps the Italians would be mad not to include Pirlo at Euro 2016 with such a notion on board, for even if the former Juventus star has certainly seen his prime years long since dissipate by now, Andrea Pirlo’s sheer technical ability and fantastic eye for a through-ball simply paint him out as a player always with something to offer.

 

So, whilst it remains somewhat difficult to imagine the deep-lying play-maker eventually turning out with the Italians at this summer’s hotly anticipated competition, it seems Pirlo isn’t quite ready to call it a day after producing some fine moments among the MLS this season…