Milan superstar Andrea Pirlo has revealed that he has dreamt about winning the Ballon d’Or since he was a young child.

The playmaker is making a late surge to lift the crown after a quite stunning start to the season. The former Brescia playmaker was the best player on the pitch during the recent Euro 2008 qualifier with France and was again on top form last night as Milan beat Benfica 2-1 at San Siro.

The 28-year-old scored a trademark free-kick and set-up the second goal for Filippo Inzaghi as the Rossoneri began the defence of their Champions League title.

“Winning the Balon d’Or? I have dreamt about this since a young child,” revealed Pirlo. “It is the dream of every young boy who wants to be a footballer to win this trophy.”

Despite Pirlo’s magnificent form, his Rossoneri team-mate Kaka is still the red-h ... Read more »

Milan 2 - 1 Benfica
Pirlo 9 (M), Inzaghi 24 (M), Nuno Gomes 93 (B)
Stadio Meazza

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An Andrea Pirlo free kick and stunning team move finalised by Pippo Inzaghi gave Milan a confident 2-1 win over Benfica.

Manuel Rui Costa returned to San Siro to face his former club as captain of Benfica and was given a warm welcome by the fans, players and Coach Carlo Ancelotti. Rui Costa helped the Rossoneri to win the trophy in 2003 and they started this new campaign as holders. Ronaldo was out injured, but Pippo Inzaghi was picked as lone forward.

In the opening minutes Kaka had a shot charged down on the edge of the area, then Inzaghi just failed to redirect a wayward Massimo Ambrosini volley from Massimo Oddo's cross.

The pressure paid off on nine minutes, as Andrea Pirlo curled one of his trademark free kicks from 25 metres into the near top corner. The goalkeeper managed to ... Read more »