The Champions League final has been hyped up as the brilliant attack of Barcelona against the rock-solid defence of Juventus.
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However, it is possibly also the final swansong of two great players who have made their names in the middle of the park.
The ageing passmasters Andrea Pirlo and Xavi Hernandez could be playing their final games in European football on Saturday night. The Blaugrana legend has already confirmed his move to Qatari side Al-Sadd in the summer according to ESPN, while Pirlo has been openly admitted he could move to MLS if the Bianconeri win at the Olympiastadion, reported Goal.com.
The duo could have played together if the Italian is to be believed; The Guardian revealed that Pep Guardiola once tried to sign the midfielder back in 2010. However, it wasn’t to be so, and we will never know what they might have been capable of together.
We can still revel in their personal achievements though, and they are very impressive. Who is the better? It is very close indeed.
Internationals: Xavi
Both have over 100 caps for their countries, and have come to personify their team’s possession based styles of play.
Pirlo has played 113 times for the Azzurri with 13 goals, while his Spanish counterpart has an extra 20 appearances at 133 but one less goal at 12.
In terms of accolades both have a World Cup to their name but the Barca man also has two European championships, one of which came came after a final against Italy in 2012.
Club scene: Xavi, just
The midfielders have also helped their respective clubs to amazing feats.
Domestically Xavi has eight La Ligas and three Copa Del Reys, while Pirlo has two Serie As and one Coppa Italia with AC Milan as well as four Italian top flight championships with Juve plus a Coppa Italia.
However, when it comes to the Europe, the Camp Nou hero has a slight advantage, with three Champions Leagues to his opposite number’s two with the Rossoneri.
This season: Pirlo
During the campaign both have continued to have an influence, but with Xavi 35-years-old and Pirlo 36-years-old they have been less extraordinary than in prior seasons.
At Barca the former has had to get used to a bit part role behind Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, and new boy Ivan Rakitic. He has made 43 appearances while scoring twice and creating another eight goals, but only 21 of those have been starts.
At the same time his rival at the Old Lady has been hampered by a calf injury, but has been far more important when fit, managing 32 games. Only one has come from the bench, and he has netted five as well as assisting the same amount.