Elegance, precision and nonchalance are qualities bestowed upon a select group of the worlds most aesthetically pleasing players; Berbatov, Bergkamp, Le Tissier, Scholes, Ronaldinho, Modric and Steve McNulty (to name but a few) embody these qualities.
There is, however, one that rises to another level of utter brilliance for reasons that can't always be explained. And today is his birthday: Andrea Pirlo has always been acutely aware of his own genius - even as a child.
In honour of his 35th birthday we have put together a guide on how to be more like the bearded maestro...
1. Harness the power of the beard, use it to make beautiful what would otherwise be hideous
2. Wear terrible hats, with measured confidence
3. Execute the Panenka whenever possible, be it in the Champions League or the Connaught Cup.
4. Perform regular baptisms, show your followers the way
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5. Buy a vineyard and begin producing wine; cider is the province of the weak.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93vAZo15gtE
6. When you you finally achieve acceptable produce, you must nonchalantly drink it outside.
7. Always sniff whatever it is you are drinking, be it a full-bodied red or a half bottle of Blue Nun it is imperative that you take in the bouquet
8. Cut offs are acceptable when coupled with a sumptuous couch.
9. Play FIFA when not producing wine - it is the key to technical brilliance
10. Being a surly genius can lead to a back-log of emotion, sometimes it's necessary to release these feeling. Do this alone.
