Sydney FC could find themselves taking on FIFA World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo in the FFA Cup next week, with opponents Avondale FC confirming they have approached the Italian football legend to play for the club.
Reports emerged on Wednesday morning that the Victorian NPL side are in advanced talks with the former AC Milan and Juventus midfielder to make a one-off appearance for the club against the defending FFA Cup champions next week.
“We can only comment that we are waiting to hear from [Pirlo’s] management,” said an Avondale FC spokesperson.
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The signing of the 39-year-old would be a huge coup for Avondale for their blockbuster clash against Steve Corica’s side at ABD Stadium next Wednesday, September 19.
Pirlo is one of the most decorated players of the last decade and won the FIFA World Cup with Italy in 2006, as well as two Champions League titles and six Serie A crowns.
Avondale winger Elvis Kamsoba says the prospect of playing with Pirlo would be something special and believes it would give them the confidence to cause another FFA ‘Cupset’.
“It would be something very special for us,” said Kamsoba.
“To be able to play with someone who has won a World Cup, played with the best players in the world…it’s something that doesn’t come around often.
“In the end I think we have a team that’s good enough, that if we take our chances we could take Sydney down.”
“It would be the best to have him in the team. If he plays that would give us an extra 10% or 20% lift up.”
Pirlo’s addition would provide further ammunition to Avondale’s star-studded attack featuring the likes of Kamsoba, Liam Boland, Joey Katebian and Kaine Sheppard.
Kamsoba has been one of the revelations of this year’s FFA Cup competition, exciting the crowds with his silky skills, pacy runs and spectacular goal celebrations.
So what about the prospect of getting on the end of one of Pirlo’s famed through-balls?
“I hope he can read my runs,” Kamsoba joked.
