Andrea Pirlo broke his silence and spoke for the first time after being excluded from coaching the Italian national team, after the midfield legend was on the verge of assuming the position of technical director of the Azzurri.
Pirlo was an exceptional candidate to be the new technical director of the Italian national team, before he was excluded due to his previous work as a global ambassador for one of the betting companies in Russia.
Pirlo expressed his regret via his official Instagram account for introducing political matters into football, due to Russia's situation in recent years and its war with Ukraine.
Pirlo wrote: "In recent days, I have followed with great bitterness the controversy surrounding my name and the possibility of assuming the position of technical director of the Italian national team".
He added: "Out of respect for the institutions, the federation, and all concerned, I preferred to remain silent until now; however, I feel it is my duty to clarify some aspects".
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Pirlo clarified: "Throughout my career, as a player and coach, I have always adhered to the laws of the countries in which I worked and the contracts I signed. The professional collaboration that is the focus of the recent controversy arose in the context of my career in the United Arab Emirates, and it is purely commercial and sporting in nature".
He continued: "Attributing political connotations to this collaboration means ascribing to me beliefs I have never expressed and that are not mine".
He went on: "I would like to thank Maldini and Leonardo for the appreciation and trust they placed in me; I recognize their experience, competence, and their constant love for Italian football. It saddens me that a sporting decision was quickly dragged into a public debate that ended in a certain way, with intentions that do not concern me".
Pirlo concluded: "My love for Italy does not depend on a position; it is part of my history and my identity, and it will always remain so".