The 30-year-old has become a decisive player for the Azzurri since Francesco Totti's retirement from international duty four years ago.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi is a big fan.

And he is keen to ensure the world champions continue to make the most of Pirlo's precision and sublime creativity from midfield.

"I knew from a long time ago that a player of the quality of Pirlo can decide games," said Lippi. "I found a silent leader, who speaks with his feet."

There is no doubt, looking at his earlier career, that Pirlo always had the talent and determination to go far.

He made his Serie A debut at the age of 16, having progressed through the Brescia youth ranks.

A move to Inter Milan in the summer of 1998 from Brescia looked to be his big break - and it also fulfilled a childhood dream.

"I was an Inter Milan fan when I was boy," admitted Pirlo.

It was for that reason that his failure to consolidate a place in Inter's squad - he was loaned out twice in his three-year spell at the club - proved a bitter disappointment for the Flero-born player.

"Had I been given more playing time, I would have proved my value," said Pirlo.

"To play on loan allowed me to gain Serie A experience which I would not have got had I stayed at Inter.

"But it was not enjoyable to leave as it left an open wound.

"When you play professional football, you leave your heart behind and the team you play for becomes your focus."

His move to city rivals AC Milan in 2001 for 18million euros catapulted Pirlo to superstardom - and also allowed him to fill his trophy cabinet.

Pirlo has made 328 appearances for the Rossoneri, collecting nearly all club level trophies along the way.

He has won two Champions League titles (2003 and 2007), two European Super Cups (2003 and 2007), a Scudetto (2004), an Italian Super Cup (2004), a FIFA Club World Cup (2007), and the Italian Cup in 2003.

Pirlo showed his leadership skills when he captained Italy to an Under-21 European Championship in 2000 and to the semi-finals of that competition two years later.

He won bronze at the 2004 Olympics, having made his senior debut two years earlier.

But it is understandably the World Cup in Germany four years ago that is Pirlo's fondest memory in the Azzurri shirt.

The Italian won FIFA's man of the match award on three occasions at the tournament, including in the final against France.

"I think it is the dream of any child to play for the national team and compete in a World Cup," said Pirlo. "Only a few of us get to win it.

"I scored in my first World Cup game and then we lifted the trophy at the end of the tournament.

"I could not have asked for more.

"I've been fortunate to experience this and I can only thank the Lord."

Pirlo, still just 30 years of age, already has an enviable CV, but remains hungry for more.

"I would love to win the Champions League again but more so, to win the World Cup again," said Pirlo.

"We have a great opportunity to do so in South Africa.

"We have veteran players but not old, players that have plenty of experience at international level and I believe we can go far."

As for Milan, he is under contract until 2012 and, despite reports claiming he could follow his former Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti to London and join Chelsea, he says his future lies at the San Siro.

"Looking back, I realise that I owe everything to (former Brescia manager) Carlo Mazzone and Ancelotti, the two most important coaches that I've ever had," said Pirlo.

"But I would like to end my career at AC Milan.

"I feel at home at Milan."

One thing is certain, if Italy are to build on their success in Germany four years ago with another title in South Africa, they will need L'Architetto (The Architect) to come up trumps.