Pirlo On Golden Ball: My Personality Hinders Me

Milan star Andrea Pirlo says he has dreamt about winning the Ballon d’Or since he was a child, however he believes that his lack of personality hinders his chances of winning the prize.

Pirlo has had a magnificent 2006 and 2007, helping Italy to the World Cup in Germany, and then being instrumental in Milan’s Champions League triumph in May.

Despite being in the running for the Golden Ball, the prestigious prize is almost certain to go to Pirlo’s Milan team-mate Kaka.

“Winning the Golden Ball remains the desire of every football player. When you are a child you dream to win,” said Pirlo.

“I know that I don’t have much charisma and this does not help me, however this is how I am. It does not interest me to be like that. When I have free time I prefer to spend time with my family rather than follow commercial strategies.

“Nevertheless I have no regrets and I am convinced that the Ballon d’Or is won on the field, even if having a strong image is obviously an advantage.”

The trophy will be presented in a lavish ceremony in Paris this Sunday evening. Kaka will follow in the footsteps of former Milan winners such as Gianni Rivera, Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit, George Weah and Andrei Shevchenko.