Italy legend Andrea Pirlo has
thanked New York City FC and its fans after retiring as a
player.
Pirlo, 38, who last month said he intended to retire at the
end of the Major League Soccer season, tweeted a farewell
message after NYC lost to Columbus Crew SC in the Eastern
Conference semifinals.
Pirlo, a 2006 World Cup winner with Italy, said: "Last match
in MLS. As my time in NYFC comes to an end I would to say few
words. I want to thank everybody for the kindness and support
they have shown me in this incredible city.
"Thank you to the amazing supporters, thank you to the
coaching staff and everybody that work behind the scene, thank
you to my teammates.
"Not only my adventure in NY comes to an end but my journey
as a football player as well, that is why I would like to take
the opportunity to thank my family and my children for the
support and love they always give me, every team that I had the
honor to play for, every teammate I have been pleased to play
alongside, all the people that made my career such incredible
and last but not least, all the fans around the world that
always showed me support. You will always be on my side and in
my heart."
After starting his career with Brescia and Inter Milan, Pirlo
joined AC Milan in 2001 and won the Champions League twice and
Serie A twice with the Rossoneri, also winning the Coppa Italia
and the Club World Cup.
After 10 seasons with Milan, he was allowed to join Juventus
on a free transfer and spent four seasons there, winning another
four Serie A titles and another Coppa Italia as well as reaching
the 2015 Champions League final.
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