Andrea Pirlo has had a surprisingly tough time of things since moving to the United States.
Considering the fact the World Cup winner is widely thought of as one of the greatest players of his generation, many of us expected him to walk into Major League Soccer and dominate without really putting in too much effort.
But like New York City FC team-mate Frank Lampard, and LA Galaxy’s Steven Gerrard, the Italian maestro has discovered that it’s not so simple.
In fact, it appears that Pirlo is having trouble adapting to everything about his new home, from the style of play on the pitch to the change in culture from Italy to New York.
God bless him though, he’s trying. The former Juventus man shared an image on Twitter on Thursday of him attempting to become ‘a real American boy’ by taking part in one of the most American activities of all – the great American barbecue.
Family' s BBQ … Like a real American boy! 😋 pic.twitter.com/TczlZVReVZ
— Andrea Pirlo (@Pirlo_official) June 30, 2016
God loves a trier, but the American public are not so forgiving when it comes to one of their national pastimes.
Using a fork to help cook a barbecue of undersized meat might be good enough for footballing royalty like Andrea Pirlo, but it’s just not the American way, GODDAMMIT.
Someone buy the maestro a spatula RT @Pirlo_official: Family' s BBQ … Like a real American boy! 😋 pic.twitter.com/ilsh5boEam
— Producer Phil ⭐️ (@_HeyYoPhil) June 30, 2016
https://twitter.com/JuventusFC05/status/748508661727825920
don't ☹️
— Berna 🧣 (@i_BERNADIT) June 30, 2016
someone get this guy a spatula or some tongs! @magsconnell
— James (@Jtmoney_11) July 1, 2016
But just like in the UK, there is a big north/south divide in the US too, and many fans wanted Pirlo to know the difference between barbecuing and grilling.
Andrea, you make almost $6 mil a year, might be time to invest in a spatula, or two, for your grill.
— Joe Tansey (@JTansey90) June 30, 2016
that's grilling not BBQ we can show you the difference
— Fountain City Ultras (@FCUltrasSKC) June 30, 2016
And some were just interested in the Italian’s unique sense of fashion.
https://twitter.com/LaRondinella_89/status/748590091535212544
nice shorts Andrea
— Sam (@Sam_murph) June 30, 2016
@juventusfc shorts? 😅
— Richard Farino (@richardfarino) June 30, 2016
A fine pair of shorts you have on you there, Andrea.
— Amy (@Lassagie) June 30, 2016
It's his choice of shorts that really take the cake in this photo.
— Jimmy Conrad (@JimmyConrad) June 30, 2016
And of course, if you cook outside without a drink in your hand, did you ever really cook at all?
Don't forget the beer Andrea
— Alex’s aneurism corner (@KetaminePosting) June 30, 2016
you're missing a 🍻
— Ali (@vbgirlie) June 30, 2016
you need a beer or glass of wine in the nongrilling hand!
— Jake Lucas (@JakeLucas1650) June 30, 2016
