Nike's World Cup Commerical

Nike and its stars are ready for the World Cup, and this spot is reminiscent of Nike's outstanding 2002 commercial. Which one do you like better?

Players to Know: #8 Andrea Pirlo

Midfielder, Italy

Conductor. Technician. Maestro. High praise but also apt descriptors for Italy's deep-lying playmaker Andrea Pirlo. Watching Pirlo orchestrate his team is an understated and engrossing experience. Sitting between the back-four defenders and the more advanced midfielders, Pirlo is the fulcrum from which the Italian team's movements extend. He collects passes from all directions and rechannels as he sees fit.

Although this ability is impressive, there are other players who can perform this role for their teams - Xavi, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Yaya Toure - so perhaps what most defines Pirlo is the manner in which he performs this role.