Alessandro Alciato

Alessandro Alciato is an Italian sports journalist and author who specializes in football writing. He co-authored the autobiography of Andrea Pirlo, one of Italy's most celebrated midfielders, which was published in English as "I Think Therefore I Play." Alciato worked closely with Pirlo to document the player's career, philosophy, and experiences in professional football. The book covers Pirlo's time with major clubs including AC Milan, Juventus, and New York City FC, as well as his role in Italy's 2006 World Cup victory. His collaboration with Pirlo resulted in an intimate portrait of modern football from the perspective of one of the game's most thoughtful players. The book combines personal anecdotes with tactical insights and reflections on the evolution of football. Alciato's journalistic background provided the structure and narrative flow that transformed Pirlo's reflections into a cohesive autobiography that appeals to both football fans and general readers.

Readers praise "I Think Therefore I Play" for its honest and introspective approach to football autobiography. Many appreciate Pirlo's candid discussions about teammates, coaches, and opponents, finding his observations both entertaining and insightful. Football fans particularly value the tactical explanations and behind-the-scenes stories from major tournaments and club matches. Readers enjoy Pirlo's dry humor and his philosophical approach to the game, with many noting specific anecdotes about players like Gennaro Gattuso and Roberto Baggio. The book's accessibility to non-football fans receives positive mentions, as readers find the personal stories engaging regardless of their knowledge of the sport. Some readers criticize the book's brevity, wanting more detailed coverage of certain periods in Pirlo's career. Others find the translation occasionally awkward, suggesting some nuance may have been lost from the original Italian. A few readers expected more tactical depth, feeling disappointed by the relatively surface-level analysis of football strategy.