US Edition Speaking on Radio Five live, former Preston manager Phil Brown became the subject of ridicule when he suggested Pirlo was "homophobic" because he had never left Italy. Given the context, it appears Brown meant to say "homesick".
"I think the Premier League is the best league in the world," Brown said when picking over the bones of England's failed Euro 2012.
"I think that's why we're attracting the better foreign players. Why ... for the life of me ... hasn't Pirlo played in England?
"Is he just homophobic? Is he Italian through and through and doesn't want to leave them?"
Football fans on Twitter did not miss the chance to poke fun at Brown, who has been trending all afternoon.
Pirlo was Italy's outstanding player against England, helping Italy to win the shoot-out with an audacious penalty in the 4-2 shooutout victory.
He was man of the match in the 2006 World Cup final, which Italy won, and has also won the Europen Cup with AC Milan.
He joined Juventus in 2011, inspiring last season's Scudetto success.