22/09/2024
⚪After winning the World Cup in 2006, I was riding my bike around Italy. Everyone was congratulating me and greeting me, and I responded in one way.
When they said, "Good morning, Andrea," I replied, "Buenos dias" (good morning in Spanish). They would say, "Hello, Pirlo," and I would say, "Hola" (hello in Spanish).
⚪No one understood what I was saying. They thought winning the World Cup had affected my mind and made me crazy, but they didn’t know what was going on in my mind.
⚪At that time, I wasn’t a Milan player; I was a Real Madrid player in my mind, spirit, and heart!
Capello, who was the coach of Real Madrid then, called me.
I thought, "Oh my God, one of the greatest coaches in history is calling me.
" I answered, "Hello, mister, how are you?"
He said, "I'm great, and you will be too. Come to Real Madrid, and I'll make you play always.
" I said, "Okay, I'm in." It didn’t take me a minute to decide.
⚪Then my agent studied the matter carefully and went to Madrid.
I was following him on the phone like a teenager. He told me, "Andrea, your transfer is about to happen.
" I was so excited beyond imagination!
I imagined myself in that pure, fierce white jersey. I thought about the Bernabeu, that fortress I dreamed of being in! Amidst those dreams, suddenly, I was shocked! My agent told me, "Andrea, see you at lunch in a few days.
" I asked, "Where? In Madrid?
" He replied, "No, in Milanello!
" I said, "Are you crazy?
" He replied, "Yes, Andrea, in Milanello because Galliani hasn’t agreed yet!"
⚪I went back to Milanello, and we gathered in that room where the team always eats.
My agent said, "Andrea is going to Real Madrid." I said, "Yes, I am." Galliani looked at me and said, "No, dear, you’re not going anywhere!"
⚪Then he pulled out a small briefcase and took out a contract. He said to me, "You’re not going anywhere because you’re going to sign this contract.
It’s for five years, and the salary is blank. Write whatever you want!"
⚪After that day, I spent