Throughout his illustrious playing career, Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero achieved almost everything a footballer could dream of.
The Juventus icon secured six Serie A titles and a Champions League trophy with the Italian giants, making 705 appearances for the club.
However, Del Piero recently revealed that one dream remained unfulfilled: playing in the Premier League. Despite coming close to moving to England on two occasions, he chose to remain loyal to Juventus, where he became a legendary figure for both club and country.
Almost Joining the Premier League
Ahead of his participation in Sunday’s Soccer Aid, where he will represent the Rest of the World squad against England, Del Piero spoke to talkSPORT about his near moves to the Premier League.
When asked if he ever had the chance to play in England, Del Piero replied, “Yeah, it happened with Newcastle and Man United.”
Del Piero elaborated that he ultimately decided against these moves because of his deep commitment to Juventus.
“I was captain of Juve and happy at Juve, and for me, it was everything,” he said. “I was a Juventus fan from the beginning when I was a young kid.
I wasn’t looking for more money or more things – they gave me good money in Turin, and I became captain.
I stayed 19 years, going through everything from paradise to hell, and I’m happy about that. It’s a unique story and a unique journey.”
Interest from Manchester United
One of the closest moments Del Piero came to joining the Premier League was in 2006, following Juventus’s demotion to Serie B due to the match-fixing scandal. Manchester United, led by Sir Alex Ferguson, showed significant interest in the Italian maverick.
Ferguson had long admired Del Piero’s skills and hoped to bring him to Old Trafford. Despite this enticing opportunity, Del Piero chose to stay in Turin and lead Juventus’s efforts to return to the top flight.
No Regrets About Staying with Juventus
Reflecting on these pivotal moments in his career, the now 49-year-old Del Piero expressed no regrets about his decisions.
“No regrets because everything that I chose in my career, I don’t regret – including relegation with Juventus,” he stated.
“That was a hard choice, but I’m still happy that I made it because I truly believe in one way, and that is still my way. Every time that I came to play in England, it was a great atmosphere.”
Del Piero’s loyalty to Juventus was evident throughout his career. Making his debut for Juve in 1993, he went on to score 290 goals during his nearly two-decade-long tenure with the club.
His dedication and leadership were instrumental in the club’s success, even during challenging times.
Post-Juventus Career and International Achievements
After leaving Italy in 2012, Del Piero continued his playing career with brief spells in Australia with Sydney FC and in India before retiring in 2014.
His international career was equally impressive, earning 91 caps for Italy and becoming the country’s fourth-highest goal-scorer with 27 goals.
Del Piero’s contributions to both club and country have cemented his status as one of the greatest footballers of his generation.
Conclusion
Alessandro Del Piero’s career is a testament to his loyalty, passion, and unwavering commitment to Juventus.
Despite opportunities to join Premier League giants Newcastle and Manchester United, Del Piero chose to stay with the club he loved, becoming a legend in the process.
His story serves as an inspiring example of dedication and integrity in the world of football, highlighting the importance of staying true to one’s roots and values.
TDPel Media
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