Italy's Andrea Pirlo holds the World Cup Trophy after the World Cup 2006 final soccer match between Italy and France in Berlin July 9, 2006.[Reuters]

Italy beat France 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in fulltime.

Pirlo, 27, played a key role in the Italian attacking and defense and converted the first penalty shot home for Italy.

The AC Milan midfielder had been named Man of the Match in Italy's 2-0 win over hosts Germany in the semifinal.

Midfield dynamo Pirlo has matured into one of AC Milan and Italy's most important players.

Comfortable in either a defensive, controlling midfield role or in a more advanced position, Pirlo came to the fore after his move to AC Milan.

He had a difficult spell at Milan's city rivals Inter earlier in his career, but with the Rossoneri he has won the UEFA

Champions League in 2003 and the league title in 2004.

Creative, with excellent passing ability and capable of producing brilliant free-kicks, Pirlo won a gold medal at the UEFA European U-21Championship in 2000.

He then played at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, winning bronze in Athens, and also featured at Euro 2004.