Quotes from Andrea Pirlo

If you look after yourself and are willing to adapt - there is no reason why you can't play at the top level until your late 30s.

First objective is always that of winning.

If I look in the mirror when I get up or before going to bed at night, I see a man of average ugliness with stubble, an unruly mane of hair, a squint nose, slightly protruding ears, and bags under my eyes. But I also see a man who's completely happy with the figure staring back at him.

As a player, you get to the stage where you realise that you are not 25 anymore - and can't play the way you used to. The intelligent players adapt - and Steven Gerrard has the ability to do that. He is an excellent passer of the ball, possesses an intelligent football brain, and has great vision.

I stick to a Mediterranean diet with fresh produce and olive oil. On a normal day, my diet is divided into the three main meals. I don't eat any other snack between meals during the day.

Thanks to Conte, I got the urge of coaching, and I thank him for that.

To be useful in defence, to win back the ball, you don't always have to go sliding into the tackle. It's also about your positioning; sometimes all you have to do is take a step back.

I used to watch Juninho's free-kicks without being able to figure out how he hit them. I tried and tried until, eventually, I came up with my own way to strike them.

People compare me to Verratti, and I do really like him, but we have very different playing styles.

Sometimes a pinch of sadism is the ingredient that makes victory taste that little bit sweeter.

I like English football a lot.

Madrid is Madrid. There's nothing more to say. It's the biggest team in the world.