The Full Story of How Andrea Pirlo's Russian Betting Deal Sabotaged His Italy Coach Dreams
The Italy legend's deal with Russia's Fonbet was public since October. He had been heavily criticised for it. So why did it only became a scandal in Italy when the national team came calling?
On May 24, 2026, Andrea Pirlo and Marco Materazzi stood on the pitch at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, signing autographs at a “Football Day” organized by the Russian bookmaker Fonbet. The two World Cup winners posed alongside Artem Dzyuba, the former Russia captain and one of the war’s most vocal footballing supporters, while pro-Kremlin performers entertained the crowd around the Russian Cup Superfinal.
That same day, Russia launched one of its largest combined attacks of the war on Ukraine. Ukrainian Olympic skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych counted the barrage on X: 600 drones and 90 missiles. “It’s sad to see childhood legends turn into moral bankrupts for whom nothing is more valuable than Russian rubles,” he wrote. “Shame.”
Pirlo rejected any political reading of the day. “We came exclusively for sport and for the children,” he said. “Football has the unique power to bring people together, to overcome borders and to offer a moment of joy, especially to young kids who dream of becoming footballers.”
Two months later, Pirlo’s job as an ambassador for Fonbet helped sabotage the most important coaching appointment in Italian football.
How close was Pirlo to the job?
Seemingly one signature away. After Pep Guardiola declined, technical director Paolo Maldini and advisor Leonardo settled on Pirlo, with Italian media reporting a four-year contract to the 2030 World Cup at no more than €1.5 million a season plus bonuses tied to Euro 2028 qualification. His backroom staff was already assembled, with Roberto Baronio lined up as his deputy. His agent Tullio Tinti had begun the paperwork to free him from his club, United FC Dubai. The announcement was expected around the FIGC Federal Council of July 28.
