Italy's World Cup failure a 'catastrophe,' says legend Pirlo

Italy is grappling with a "catastrophe" after failing to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time, a stark reality for the nation that has lifted the trophy four times. Legendary midfielder Andrea Pirlo, a key player in Italy's last World Cup triumph in 2006, described the situation as "very difficult" for the national team.

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Unfortunately, this is a very difficult period for the Italian national team. We have missed out on the World Cup three times in a row. This is a real catastrophe.

"Unfortunately, this is a very difficult period for the Italian national team. We have missed out on the World Cup three times in a row. This is a real catastrophe," Pirlo stated in an interview with the Daily Mail Sport. He acknowledged that the team "deserves this" and emphasized the need to "look forward, prepare for the European Championship in 2028, and then try to get to the next World Cup again."

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We deserve this. Now we have to look forward, prepare for the European Championship in 2028, and then try to get to the next World Cup again.

Reflecting on the current tournament, Pirlo sees France and Spain as the main favorites, though he cautioned that "football is unpredictable." He highlighted Portugal's Vitinha, Spain's Pedri, and the Netherlands' Frenkie de Jong as players who have impressed him with their technical quality and ability to control the game, noting they all play as deep-lying midfielders, a role he himself excelled in.

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The main favorites are France and Spain. In my opinion, France has the best chance. Football is unpredictable, so you never know.

Pirlo also shared his recipe for a championship team: "You need excellent players who are physically and psychologically prepared. Also, some luck, perhaps a slightly more favorable fixture list, and above all, strong cohesion within the team. You have to live together for a month, and only a true group can achieve the final success." When asked if he would make a historical all-time best XI, Pirlo, now a coach in Turkey, humbly stated, "It's very difficult to choose eleven best players. There have been too many in recent decades. But I am sure that I would be one of them."

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You need excellent players who are physically and psychologically prepared. Also, some luck, perhaps a slightly more favorable fixture list, and above all, strong cohesion within the team. You have to live together for a month, and only a true group can achieve the final success.