🏆 The 25 greatest players of the last 25 years: A maestro in 19th place | OneFootball

Welcome to OneFootball's definitive ranking of the 25 greatest players of the last 25 years.

Over the course of 25 days, we will be counting down our top 25 men's footballers of the 21st century so far, before revealing the winner on 1st January 2025.

Check out the list so far here

Today, our countdown continues with...

19th: Andrea Pirlo (213 points)

Andrea Pirlo, also affectionately known across the world as 'the Maestro', was an incredible talent, a fundamental linchpin in Marcello Lippi's Italy side that won the World Cup in 2006.

In addition to success with the Azzurri, the midfielder was a regular in winning silverware domestically too, enjoying most success during his spells with Milan and Juventus.

Pirlo possessed some of the finest range of passing in the game and was also a lethal threat from free-kicks, making him one of the most gifted players Italy ever produced.

Fun fact

In 2006, after winning the World Cup with Italy, Pirlo was one step away from joining Real Madrid, as he recounted in his autobiography. But Milan vice-president Adriano Gialliani blocked the move with a memorable offer.

"Andrea, my friend, you are not going anywhere. You will not leave because you will sign this [contract]," Gialliani told the midfielder. "It is for five years and we have left the salary details blank so you can put whatever you want."

Watch him in action

How we voted

Thirty-eight members of OneFootball's global editorial team ranked their top 25 players of the 21st century so far. Players ranked at #1 earned 25 points, second place earned 24 points, and so on. In the event of a tie, the player with the highest individual ranking was placed higher on the list.

📸 Alex Livesey - 2012 Getty Images