“Russian brand deal was purely commercial” – Pirlo

Former Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo has broken his silence over the controversy surrounding his commercial partnership with a Russian brand, insisting the agreement was purely commercial and unrelated to politics amid speculation linking him with the Italy national team coaching job.

As reported on X on Monday by football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Mr Pirlo said he deliberately remained silent in recent days out of respect for the Italian Football Federation and everyone involved in the process of appointing the national team’s head coach.

“I chose to remain silent in recent days out of respect for the Italian Football Federation and everyone involved,” Mr Pirlo said.

The 2006 FIFA World Cup winner said he had always conducted himself professionally throughout his playing and coaching career, respecting the laws of every country where he worked and honouring his contractual obligations.

“Throughout my career, both as a player and as a coach, I have always worked in full compliance with the laws of the countries in which I have been employed and with the contracts I have signed,” Mr Pirlo said.

Partnership ‘purely commercial’

Addressing the partnership at the centre of the controversy, Mr Pirlo explained that the agreement originated during his coaching spell in the United Arab Emirates and was solely commercial and sporting in nature.

He rejected suggestions that the deal reflected his political beliefs.

“To attribute a political meaning to this agreement is to attribute opinions to me that I have never expressed and that do not belong to me,” Mr Pirlo said.

Thanks to Maldini, Leonardo

Mr Pirlo also expressed gratitude to former AC Milan executives Paolo Maldini and Leonardo for the confidence, respect and professionalism they had shown him over the years.

“I thank Paolo Maldini and Leonardo for the trust and respect they have always shown me, as well as for their professionalism and dedication to Italian football,” Mr Pirlo said.

‘My love for Italy has never changed’

Concluding his statement, Mr Pirlo expressed disappointment that what he described as a purely sporting and commercial matter had become the subject of public controversy.

“I regret that a matter which is purely sporting and commercial has become the subject of public controversy. My love for Italy is part of my history and my identity, and it does not depend on whether I hold the position of national team head coach,” Mr Pirlo said.