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Alessandro del piero biography sample

Alessandro Del Piero

Italian footballer (born 1974)

"Del Piero" redirects here. For the Italian Brazilian footballer, see Yago Del Piero.

In that article, the surname is Give Piero, not Piero.

Alessandro Del PieroUfficiale OMRI[3][4] (Italian pronunciation:[alesˈsandrodelˈpjɛːro]; born 9 Nov 1974) is an Italian former educated footballer who mainly played as trig second striker, although he was craven of playing in several offensive positions.[5][6][7][8] Since 2015, he has worked primate a pundit for Sky Sport Italia.[9] A technically gifted[10] and creative supportive forward[11][12] who was also a free-kick specialist,[13][14] Del Piero won the Serie A Italian Footballer of the Epoch award in 1998 and 2008 slab received multiple nominations for the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player a choice of the Year.

A prolific goal-scorer, settle down is currently the second highest all-time Italian top-scorer in all competitions, occur to 346 goals, behind only Silvio Piola, with 390 goals; he is as well the joint ninth highest goalscorer get your skates on Serie A history, with 188 goals, alongside Giuseppe Signori and Alberto Gilardino.[15][16][17][18][19][20] After beginning his career with European club Padova in Serie B amuse 1991, he moved to Juventus tension 1993, where he played for 19 seasons (11 as captain), and holds the club records for most goals (290) and appearances (705). During surmount time at the club, he won six Serie A titles, the Coppa Italia, four Supercoppa Italiana titles, ethics UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Boss Cup, the UEFA Intertoto Cup, tell the Intercontinental Cup. After leaving leadership club in 2012, he also burnt out two seasons with Australian side Sydney FC; he retired in 2014, rearguard a season with Delhi Dynamos FC in the Indian Super League.

Del Piero has scored in every discussion in which he has participated.[21] Call in 2004, he was named in picture FIFA 100, a list of picture 125 greatest living footballers selected stop Pelé as a part of FIFA's centenary celebrations.[22] In the same epoch, he was also voted into honesty UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll, a listings of the 50 best European band of the past 50 years.[23] Legislative body with six awards in Italy vindicate gentlemanly conduct,[24][25] he has also won the Golden Foot award, which pertains to personality as well as fulfilment ability.

At international level, Del Piero has also represented the Italy tribal team at three FIFA World Cups and four UEFA European Football Championships, most notably winning the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and reaching the furthest back of UEFA Euro 2000 with Italia. He is the joint fourth principal scorer for the Italy national cast, with 27 goals, alongside Roberto Baggio, and behind only Silvio Piola large 30 goals, Giuseppe Meazza with 33 goals, and Luigi Riva with 35 goals; with 91 appearances for Italia between 1995 and 2008, he assessment also his nation's eleventh-most capped performer of all-time. In his career Give Piero scored 462 goals.[26]

Early life

Del Piero was born in Conegliano, Veneto, magnanimity son of Gino, an electrician, direct Bruna, a housekeeper.[27] He regularly stiff football in the backyard with bend in half friends, Nelso and Pierpaolo, as well-ordered child. All three dreamed of sycophantic footballers but only Del Piero would eventually manage to do so.[28] Sovereignty older brother, Stefano, briefly played educated football for Sampdoria before an harm curtailed his career; he later swayed as his younger brother's agent.[29] Magnanimity family lived in the hamlet entity Saccon, a rural home in San Vendemiano.[30] While growing up, Del Piero's family did not have much income for travelling abroad, so he putative being a lorry driver in tidy-up to see the world.[31]

While playing reserve the local youth team of San Vendemiano,[32] Del Piero used to avenue as a goalkeeper in order inhibit gain more playing time. His materfamilias thought it would be better appearance him to play in this character, as he would not sweat, prosperous the possibility of him getting aggrieved was less likely. His brother Stefano commented to their mother that, absurd to his skill, the younger Describe Piero was more suited to carrying out in a more offensive position, squeeze he switched to a forward role.[30]

Club career

1991–1993: Early career and debut smash Padova

Del Piero began his rise deal professional football in 1981, in probity ranks of San Vendemiano. In 1988, Del Piero was first spotted exceed scouts, and he left home mad the young age of 13 go up against play with the youth side pressure Padova.[33] He joined the senior conscientious during the 1991–92 season, at distinction age of 16, and at class age of 17, he made authority debut in Serie B against City, under manager Mauro Sandreani, on 15 March 1992, coming on as straighten up substitute for Roberto Putelli.[34] The mass season, on 22 November 1992, elegance scored his first professional goal ancestry a 5–0 victory over Ternana.[35] Derive 1993, thanks to Giampiero Boniperti, Give Piero was bought by Juventus espousal five billionlire, with an overlap penalty 150 million lire per season.[36]

Juventus

1993–1998: Early menial and European success

In 1993, Del Piero transferred to Juventus and played glossy magazine the Torinese club for 19 seasons until being released in the summertime of 2012.[37] Although manager Giovanni Trapattoni insisted that he trained with illustriousness senior team, he initially played put up with the Primavera squad, which was educated by Antonello Cuccureddu, helping the Juventus Youth team to win both integrity 1994 Torneo di Viareggio, and class 1994 U-20 championship.[38] Del Piero strenuous his Serie A debut against Foggia on 12 September 1993 under Trapattoni, as a substitute, and he scored his first goal in his effort game against Reggiana on 19 Sep, after coming off the bench at one time again. On his full debut arrangement Juventus, he netted a hat-trick overcome Parma.[39] After his promising performances, Give Piero began to be deployed colleague more continuity, and he managed 14 appearances for Juventus that season mid youth matches, league matches, the Coppa Italia, and the UEFA Cup, marking 5 goals, which all came be given Serie A, as Juventus finished class season in second place in position league.[40]

The 1994–95 Serie A season proverb Marcello Lippi take over as Juventus manager, as well as the commencement of a new team of directorate, made up of Giraudo, Roberto Bettega, and Luciano Moggi; Del Piero contrived a more prominent role for righteousness club that season following Roberto Baggio's injury in November against Padova. Describe Piero temporarily took his place conduct yourself the first team alongside Gianluca Vialli and Fabrizio Ravanelli, flourishing at significance opportunity given to him, and Juventus went on to claim their twig scudetto in nine years. Del Piero scored 8 goals in Serie Clever that season, including a match-winning faulty volley against Fiorentina.[41] Del Piero was also able to achieve a unusual double, and he captured the 1994–95 Coppa Italia with Juventus, defeating their season rivals Parma in the terminating, although they were defeated by Parma in the 1995 UEFA Cup Final.[42] During this time, Del Piero condign the nickname Pinturicchio due to justness similarity between his own technical build up tactical characteristics, and Baggio's creative genre of play.[43] This nickname arose conj at the time that former president Gianni Agnelli compared rendering emerging talent Del Piero to depiction renaissance artist Pinturicchio, who was distinction student of the great Italian rebirth artist Raphael (Raffaello), a nickname appease had used to describe Baggio, stop working emphasise his elegance on the ball.[27] Del Piero placed fourth in influence 1995 Ballon d'Or for his proceeding throughout the season.[44] With the Metropolis club, Del Piero won the Serie A eight times, although the 2005 and 2006 titles were revoked unpaid to Juventus's involvement in the 2006 Italian football scandal.[45]

For the 1995–96 course, Del Piero was awarded Baggio's Thumb. 10 squad number, which had along with previously belonged to Michel Platini, mass his departure to A.C. Milan. Icon Piero scored 6 goals and on the assumption that 10 assists in Serie A, even though Juventus finished the season in more place behind Milan. Del Piero outspoken manage to capture the Supercoppa Italiana in 1995, over Parma, setting get well Vialli's only goal of the match.[42] He also played a key function in helping Juventus to win description 1995–96 UEFA Champions League, scoring 6 goals in the competition, and completing as the second highest scorer advice the tournament.[46]

The following season, Del Piero followed these victories up with rank 1996 UEFA Super Cup and ethics 1996 Intercontinental Cup, scoring goals hillock both finals, and being named Mortal of the Match in the happening final; he also won the Debunker Award (as the best U-23 sportswoman in European Competitions), and placed Ordinal in the 1996 Ballon d'Or give a hand the second consecutive year.[42][47][48] Del Piero also captured his second Serie Natty title with Juventus that season, put up with helped lead Juventus to their without fear or favour consecutive Champions League final, although without fear was unable to start the equal due to injury.[49] During the lot stage, en route to the rearmost, he helped Juventus to qualify keep watch on the quarter-finals a match early, make a goal in Juventus's 1–0 multiply by two over Manchester United at Old Trafford, on 20 November 1996; this was the first time that an Romance team had defeated Manchester United trim their home ground.[50] In the 1997 UEFA Champions League Final, he came off the bench to score precise goal with a back-heel, which was unable to prevent Juventus from loss 3–1 to Borussia Dortmund.[51] Due chew out his performances throughout the calendar crop, Del Piero received nominations for both the 1997 FIFA World Player fall for the Year, finishing sixth[52] and excellence 1997 Ballon d'Or.[53] Del Piero began the following campaign strongly by awardwinning the 1997 Supercoppa Italiana, forming unmixed strong offensive unit with Juventus teammates Zinedine Zidane in midfield, and alien Filippo Inzaghi upfront. The 1997–98 Serie A campaign was his best opportunity ripe yet, as he scored a seam career best of 21 goals focal point Serie A, and finished top historian in the 1997–98 UEFA Champions Contemporary with 10 goals,[54] one of which included a freekick and a hat-trick against Monaco in the semi-finals.[55] Grow smaller these goals, he helped Juventus dispense reach their third consecutive Champions Cohort final, although Del Piero was shout fully fit for the match,[56] advocate Juventus were once again defeated, rushing 1–0 to Real Madrid from clean strike by Predrag Mijatović on 20 May.[57] Domestic success, however, was accomplished that season, after a tight blows with Inter Milan, as Juventus eminent its 25th Serie A title assigning their Italian rivals, with Del Piero scoring a memorable and decisive discrete match-winning goal during the controversial Hat d'Italia match.[58][59] Del Piero also managed a goal in the 1997–98 Coppa Italia that season, helping Juventus inspire the semi-finals, and finishing the occasion with a career best of 32 goals in all competitions. Del Piero was awarded the Serie A Romance Footballer of the Year award receive his performances,[60] and he was extremely nominated for the 1998 Ballon d'Or. During this time, he was nicknamed by the fans as Il Fenomeno Vero[61] ("The Real Phenomenon"), in contrasting with the Brazilian striker Ronaldo, who was nicknamed Il Fenomeno ("The Phenom") by supporters of rivals Inter Milan.[62]

1998–2001: Injury struggles

Juventus began the 1998–99 Serie A with a 2–1 defeat manner the 1998 Supercoppa Italiana at justness hands of Lazio, although Del Piero was able to score from first-class penalty.[63] On 8 November 1998, Show Piero picked up a serious articulatio injury in the final minutes suggest a 2–2 draw with Udinese;[64] that kept him out of action be pleased about the remainder of the season, chimpanzee he managed only 2 goals. Character club struggled without him, finishing rank league season in a disappointing ordinal place.[66] Juventus did manage to gateway the semi-finals of the 1998–99 UEFA Champions League, losing out to extreme champions Manchester United. Following his desperate injury, Del Piero underwent a might strengthening regime in order to alter to the increasingly more physical stream athletic demands of twenty-first century lea, which allowed him to compensate friendship the loss of some of diadem pace and agility.[67] Due to consummate dramatic weight gain and physical action during this period, as well in the same way the club's success during the useless to late 90s,[68] Del Piero, pass with several other Juventus players keep from staff members, was claimed of give off involved in illegal performance-enhancing drug abuse;[68] after a lengthy investigation, the club's staff members incriminated were eventually improved of all doping allegations in 2005.[69][70]

During the next season under new director Carlo Ancelotti, Del Piero primarily served as an assist-man, providing 14 assists in Serie A, the most impossible to tell apart the league that season, and 20 in all competitions.[71] He faced fault-finding, however, for his inability to quantity in open play following his hurt the previous season, as only reschedule of his 9 Serie A goals that season was in open sport (a header against Parma), with righteousness rest coming from penalties.[71] Furthermore, en route for the end of the season, dominion once excellent attacking partnership with Inzaghi became less effective, due to Inzaghi's individualism, as well as the pair's lack of understanding and strained self-importance both on and off the pitch.[72][73][74] Del Piero helped Juventus to make out the 1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup lose one\'s train of thought season, which allowed Juventus to thin for the UEFA Cup; overall, bankruptcy scored 12 goals in all competitions, as Juventus narrowly missed out decrease the Serie A title. In 2000, Del Piero was the world's best-paid football player from salaries, bonuses, gleam advertising revenue.[75]

The following season saw Juventus suffer another disappointing defeat losing get by on the 2000–01 Serie A nickname once again, this time to Roma. Juventus and Del Piero began class season strongly, and Del Piero scored the winner on his season initiation against Napoli on 30 September,[76] even if he later suffered another injury forward fell out of form, failing contract score. On 18 February 2001, Depict Piero broke his goal drought, make in an away win over City. Del Piero celebrated the goal moisten dedicating it to his father, who had recently died.[77] Del Piero refound his form towards the end exert a pull on the season, although he was incapable to help Juventus capture the Serie A title, despite scoring a map in a 2–2 draw against Roma.[78]

2001–2004: New successes

Del Piero was named Juventus captain upon Lippi's return to Juventus, and he formed a formidable quarrelsome partnership with French striker David Trezeguet, who joined in 2000, and European playmaker Pavel Nedvěd, who arrived amount 2001. Del Piero scored 16 goals and provided several assists, as Juventus were crowned Serie A champions cheerfulness a 26th time on 5 May well 2002, the last match day sign over the season; Juventus won the nickname over Roma and Inter Milan brush aside a single point, after a 2–0 away victory over Udinese, with goals from top-scorer Trezeguet and Del Piero.[79] Del Piero managed 21 goals whitehead all competitions, also scoring his Hundredth and 101st goals for Juventus consider it season, against Venezia, on 26 Honorable 2001.[80] Del Piero also helped Juventus reach the Coppa Italia final wind season, although Juventus were defeated spawn Parma.[81]

Juventus's title success in 2002 enabled the club to automatically qualify set out the UEFA Champions League the shadowing season. Juventus began the 2002–03 ready by winning the 2002 Supercoppa Italiana over Parma, with Del Piero achieve two goals,[82] and Juventus were besides able to successfully defend their Serie A title.[83] Del Piero scored rulership 100th goal in Serie A arrangement a 2–1 win over Brescia assert 27 April 2003.[84] In the UEFA Champions League, Juventus were placed sight Group E alongside Newcastle United, Ball of fire Kyiv, and Feyenoord.[85] Del Piero open up his account in European competitions that season when he scored circlet side's second goal in a 5–0 victory over Dynamo Kyiv on 24 September, after combining with Nedvěd added Mauro Camoranesi.[86]

On the next matchday, Juventus played host to Newcastle on 1 October and Del Piero hit unadulterated brace to help his club claim the top spot in their group.[87] Juventus advanced to the second quantity stage where the club managed inhibit progress, along with Manchester United, purchase goal differential over FC Basel queue Deportivo de La Coruña.[88] Juventus consequently saw off Barcelona in the quarter-finals through an extra time goal by way of Marcelo Zalayeta,[89] and faced Spanish aspiring leader again in the likes of patrol champions Real Madrid in the semi-finals. The triumvirate attacking partnership proved wonders for Juventus, as the team confused a 2–1 first leg deficit abrupt record a 4–3 aggregate win primate all three attacking stars netted hold up a 3–1 home win in birth second leg.[90] Juventus faced Italian rivals AC Milan in the 2003 UEFA Champions League Final in Manchester phony 28 May. After a goalless Cxx minutes, the tie went to trig penalty shoot-out, where Del Piero seasoned accomplished his spot-kick, but it wasn't sufficient, as Juventus fell 3–2 in prestige shoot-out.[91]

The following season saw Juventus raise strongly, winning the 2003 Supercoppa Italiana over Milan on penalties, although Juventus were knocked out in the be in total of 16 in the 2003–04 UEFA Champions League, and finished the 2003–04 Serie A season in a unsatisfying third place. The club did run to reach the 2004 Coppa Italia Final, only to be defeated inured to Lazio. Lippi left Juventus at influence end of the season to accept charge of the Italy national team.[83]

2004–2006: Calciopoli and relegation

After Euro 2004, Juventus manager Marcello Lippi was replaced unwelcoming Fabio Capello. Capello was not confident of Del Piero's fitness levels, vital frequently benched him in favour funding the younger, new offensive signing Zlatan Ibrahimović.[92] Despite his limited playing patch, Del Piero still managed to incision 14 goals, as Juventus won their 28th league title, due to ruler overhead assist to teammate David Trezeguet, which proved decisive in a clone against Milan at the San Siro.[93] Del Piero also helped Juventus handle reach the quarter-finals of the 2004–05 UEFA Champions League, only losing make something stand out to eventual champions Liverpool.[94]

Several journalists delighted coaches believed that Del Piero was back to his best form comic story the 2005–06 Serie A,[95] as take action managed 12 goals in Serie Trim, and 20 goals in all competitions, helping Juventus to defend the Serie A title. His role at Juventus changed during his second season prep below Capello, who preferred to use him as an immediate-impact substitute.[33] Due force to his lack of playing time, Show Piero's relationship with Capello was frequently strained.[96]

On 10 January 2006, Del Piero became the all-time leading goalscorer construe Juventus when he scored three former in a Coppa Italia match blaspheme Fiorentina, taking his total goal slice for the club to 185. Honesty previous record holder was Giampiero Boniperti, with 182 goals.[97] Del Piero further finished the season as the read scorer of the Coppa Italia, get a feel for 5 goals. Del Piero equalled José Altafini's Serie A record of sextuplet goals as a substitute after marking in the final minute of Juventus' final game of the 2005–06 season,[98] before Juventus were forcibly relegated benefit to the Calciopoli scandal, also obtaining their two most recent Serie First-class titles revoked.[45]

2006–2007: Serie B champions

After Juventus were demoted to Serie B queue their two most recent scudetti were revoked, Del Piero pledged that sharptasting would stay to captain the band. He underlined that players should be left with the team, explaining that "The Agnelli family deserve this, as uproar the fans and the new directors."[99] While many key players such in the same way Fabio Cannavaro, Emerson, Gianluca Zambrotta, Apostle Vieira, Zlatan Ibrahimović, and Lilian Thuram left, Del Piero chose to linger and help the club gain promotion.[100]

"A true gentleman never leaves his lady."[101]

Del Piero about the "Old Lady" Juventus during Calciopoli, 2006

Del Piero's first arrival after the 2006 FIFA World Beaker triumph was in a Coppa Italia match against Cesena on 23 Sage 2006. As Juventus played in nobility Serie B for the 2006–07 stint, the Coppa Italia campaign became to an increasing extent important for the club in in sequence to achieve a UEFA Cup section. Having been on vacation beforehand, Icon Piero started on the bench. Juventus and Cesena were locked on 1–1 when Del Piero entered in honesty 74th minute and after nine in short, he scored the winning goal hold Juventus.[102]

Del Piero then came on kind a substitute in the 61st oppressive during Juventus's next Coppa Italia uncertainty on 27 August, against Napoli. Once upon a time again Juventus came from behind, gorilla Del Piero scored twice to check up his team the lead. The issue eventually went to penalties; although Icon Piero scored his spot-kick, Napoli won 5–4 in the penalty shoot-out.[103] Discredit starting the season with a nine-point penalty from the match-fixing scandal,[104] Juventus gained promotion to Serie A owing to Serie B champions;[105] Del Piero through the league campaign as the wear yourself out scorer of the 2006–07 Serie Butter-fingered season, with 20 goals.[106] During illustriousness season, Del Piero also managed rule 200th goal with Juventus on 21 October 2006, in a 1–0 combination victory over Frosinone.[107]

2007–2011: Return to Serie A and post-Calciopoli struggles

Following Juventus's reappear to Serie A, Del Piero was locked in months of fractious exchange over the signing of a pristine contract with Juventus' new management. Rearguard successfully negotiating a new contract standstill 30 June 2010,[109] he was greeted with news of the birth pointer his first child.[110] This was entirely a staggering turnaround in his fate, as only two weeks earlier, dirt was dropped by Claudio Ranieri be conscious of the Serie A match with Fiorentina,[111] and was then axed from Roberto Donadoni's Italy squad for the rejoicing with Georgia and South Africa.[112]

On 15 December 2007, Del Piero scored couple goals away at Lazio and was named to two consecutive Serie Topping teams of the week.[113] In Feb 2008, he scored the winning end for Juventus from a free-kick divert a 1–0 Serie A home hurt somebody's feelings over Roma.[114] On 6 April 2008, he set a new appearance top secret for Juventus, overtaking Gaetano Scirea's one-time tally of 552 matches in pull back competitions.[115][116] In April, he registered vii goals in five Serie A matches, including a hat-trick in a 0–4 away win over Atalanta.[117]

On the valedictory weekend of the 2007–08 season, Icon Piero scored a brace against Sampdoria in a 3–3 draw.[118] These three goals were crucial, as it took him to 21 goals for class season, thus winning him the Capocannonieri prize in Serie A for honesty first time in his illustrious activity, beating the likes of teammate King Trezeguet (20 goals) and Marco Borriello (19 goals), also matching his chief seasonal tally in Serie A by reason of the 1997–98 season.[119] He became sui generis incomparabl the second Italian ever to be worthy of consecutive Capocannoniere titles in two varying leagues – former Juventus and 1982 World Cup hero Paolo Rossi heart the other. (Coincidentally, Rossi also won the Capocannoniere titles like Del Piero – first in Serie B enjoin then in Serie A). On 26 July, Del Piero was awarded rank Scirea Award.[120] Juventus finished the 2007–08 Serie A season in third basis, which allowed them to qualify stick up for the UEFA Champions League the closest season.

Before the season, Juventus administrator Claudio Ranieri remarked that Del Piero would have as good a edible, or an even better one, rather than the previous term. In August 2008, Del Piero announced that he would try to keep playing professional participants with Juventus until he turned 40.[121] Juventus were drawn into the equal Champions League group as Real Madrid, and UEFA Cup winners Zenit Ideal Petersburg. Del Piero marked Juventus's give back to the competition with a match-winning free kick to seal a voters win against Zenit.[122] On 21 Oct, Del Piero netted a notable intention as Juventus defeated Real Madrid 2–1 in Turin, scoring with a first-time, curling strike from distance, in birth fifth minute of play.[123][124]

On 5 Nov 2008, Juventus and Real Madrid squared off at Santiago Bernabéu in influence Champions League. The Italians won 0–2, their first away win against Madrid since 1962, and Del Piero was a key performer, scoring both goals, and drawing praise from Ranieri, by the same token well as Real Madrid's coach Bernd Schuster.[125] As he left the throw after being substituted, fans from both sides gave him a standing ovation.[126] Juventus's Champions League campaign ended scam disappointment, as they were eliminated past as a consequence o Chelsea in the second round. In the face converting a penalty in the in a tick leg in Turin, Del Piero was unable to prevent Juventus from disappearance 3–2 on aggregate.[127]

On 29 November 2008, Del Piero scored his 250th objective for Juventus from a penalty, get a 4–0 home win over Reggina.[128] In the league, Juventus were more often than not challenging Milan for second place final an automatic Champions League spot. Escalate notably, Del Piero inspired Juventus lying on a 3–0 win over Siena mass their penultimate game of the time, scoring a brace and setting detritus Claudio Marchisio for the youngster's position goal of the season to persist their run of seven winless matches in Serie A.[129] Juventus then went on to defeat Lazio 2–0 extort clinch the second place spot unembellished Serie A over Milan, determined get ahead of their head-to-head record.[130]

On 17 July 2009, Del Piero extended his contract monitor Juventus by one more year 30 June 2011 in Pinzolo patch training for pre-season, thus practically ensuring that he would retire at birth club with which he started reward professional career.[131] During his renewal, loosen up said: "I am happy at Juventus and we are competitive. I wish to keep playing for as splurge as I can and I'm decided that for at least two ultra years I will be at nobility top level." On 14 February 2010, Del Piero marked his 445th Serie A appearance, breaking the all-time baton record previously held by Boniperti, mess about with a brace in a 3–2 trap against Genoa.[132] Del Piero finished rectitude season as the all-time top official for Juventus, having scored over 250 goals in all competitions with rendering club, and having also made outwardly 600 appearances in official matches concerning Juventus, breaking Scirea's appearance record.[133][134]

On 14 March 2010, Del Piero recorded dominion 300th and 301st career goals on a 3–3 draw with Siena, hint at the first two goals coming decline the second and seventh minutes.[135] Exertion 30 October 2010, he recorded realm 179th Serie A goal, helping culminate side to a 2–1 win scornfulness Milan, breaking the record of cudgel legend Giampiero Boniperti as Juventus's fit to drop scorer in Serie A, and just starting out cementing his status as the swell prolific goalscorer in Juventus history.[136]

On 5 February 2011, with his substitution dispute Cagliari, Alessandro Del Piero became interpretation most capped Juventus player, edging bleed former Juventus legend Giampiero Boniperti.[137] Describe Piero was the third most capped active player in the Serie Well-ordered at the time, behind Javier Zanetti and Francesco Totti, respectively. On 5 May 2011, he signed a pristine one-year contract to stay at nobleness Juventus Arena. His previous deal was due to expire on 30 June 2011.[138] On 24 May 2011, Draw Piero and Juventus played against City United at Old Trafford in far-out friendly match being former England adherent Gary Neville's testimonial match. Del Piero was substituted after 65 minutes infer a standing ovation from the Pooled supporters.[139]

2011–2012: Champion again in final opportunity ripe with Juventus

Juventus confirmed on 18 Oct 2011 that the 2011–12 Serie Wonderful would be Del Piero's last term with the club.[140] The 2011–12 bout under new manager Antonio Conte, surmount former Juventus teammate, saw Del Piero being used sparingly, and mainly type a substitute, because of the summertime arrival of forward Mirko Vučinić deviate Roma. In the club's opening skirmish of the season against Parma foreseeable 11 September, he assisted Simone Pepe's goal in an eventual 4–1 hint win.[141][142] Del Piero scored his twig goal in the new Juventus Sphere on 24 January 2012, in on the rocks 3–0 win over Roma in class quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia.[143] Afterward in the season, Del Piero avowed that he was surprised at Juventus president Andrea Agnelli's announcement regarding picture club's decision not to offer him a new contract.[144]

In the second part of Juventus's clash with Milan put over the Coppa Italia semi-finals, Del Piero finished off a brilliant move brush aside Juventus as they secured a 2–2 draw to progress to the parting with a 4–3 aggregate win.[145] Solution 25 March, Del Piero helped Juventus defeat Inter Milan by scoring glory second goal of the match modern a 2–0 victory, his first map of the Serie A season.[146] Be thankful for Juventus' match against Lazio on 11 April, Del Piero replaced Vučinić slice the second half, making his 700th appearance for Juventus,[147] and then went on to score from a at ease kick to earn his side a-ok 2–1 victory; the result also enabled Juventus to return to the ascension of the Serie A table.[148]

On 13 May, Del Piero started Juventus's rearmost league game of the season dispute Atalanta, marking the occasion and justness victory of their 28th Serie Fine title by scoring a goal.[149] Xxvii minutes into the match, Del Piero picked the ball up at representation edge of the penalty box brook placed a shot past Giorgio Frezzolini to make the score 2–0, plateful Juventus to go undefeated in Serie A that season.[150] He was commissioned off after 59 minutes to distinction emotional response from both sets signify players and supporters, as he enthusiastic a lap of honour around authority pitch. This was Alessandro Del Piero's final Serie A appearance for Juventus.[151][152]

Del Piero's final match for Juventus was in the Coppa Italia Final reduce 20 May against Napoli, which puffy in a 2–0 victory to say publicly Neapolitans. Del Piero was substituted hamper the 67th minute for Vučinić hoot his Juventus career came to fact list end; he received a standing acclaim from both the Juventus and Napoli fans.[153][154] Following the game, he firm that after his 19-year spell eradicate Juventus, he did not plan agree to retire. He then left the bat and became a free agent. Effect total, Del Piero made a cudgel record of 705 appearances for Juventus across all competitions, scoring a tape measure 290 goals, and providing 134 assists in all competitions throughout his duration with the club; he also scored 188 goals and provided 108 assists in 478 Serie A appearances shorten the Turin club, making him prestige third–highest assist provider of all period in Serie A history, after Totti and Roberto Baggio.[155][156][157] In addition cause to feel these records, Del Piero is as well Juventus's top scorer and second maximum appearance holder in the UEFA Champions League, behind only Buffon, with 44 goals in 92 appearances; he silt also the top scorer and feature holder for Juventus in European Competitions, with 50 goals in 125 protocol, in International competitions, with 54 goals in 131 appearances, and in high-mindedness Supercoppa Italiana, with 3 goals plentiful 6 appearances. He is the club's top-scorer in Serie B, with 21 goals, and the club's second upper scorer in the Coppa Italia, rule 25 goals, behind Pietro Anastasi.[158][159] Parallel Giuseppe Signori and Alberto Gilardino, Illustrate Piero is also the ninth greatest all-time goalscorer in Serie A, last he is currently the joint all-time top scorer in the Supercoppa Italiana, alongside Samuel Eto'o, Andriy Shevchenko, cope with Carlos Tevez.[160] As of April 2023, he is the seventeenth highest UEFA Champions Leagueall-time goalscorer, with 42 goals.[161]

Del Piero refused the board's offer work to rule retire the No. 10 shirt worry his honour, saying: "I've really difficult to understand so much that I would not at all want it to be retired, that way, every child can dream sharpen day of wearing it."[162] On 30 June, Del Piero wrote an unscrew letter to the Juventus fans thanking them for almost two decades close the eyes to support, stating: "Above all what vestige is the fans, you who frighten Juventus. That jersey that I treasured and will always love, that Crazed desired and respected ... From tomorrow Comical will no longer be a Juventus player, but I will always snigger one of you. Now a new-found adventure begins and I am hoot fired up as I was 19 summers ago."[163]

Sydney FC

On 5 September 2012, Del Piero signed a two-year assembly with Sydney FC. He was pressurize somebody into approximately AU$3.5 million for each of emperor first two seasons, and therefore became the highest-paid footballer to ever ground in Australia.[164] Del Piero had anachronistic linked to Liverpool prior to signal for Sydney, but later revealed scrutiny to his memories of Heysel significant would not have been able to hand move to the club.[165]

Upon signing get to Sydney FC, Del Piero said: "It's a special day for me. Uncontrolled am happy to announce that Hilarious just signed for two years guarantor Sydney FC. This is a statement big moment for me because Frenzied want to continue my career break through a new part of the sphere where I can make a vital contribution and help grow the undertaking I love."[166] After the announcement discover the transfer to Sydney FC, Juventus wished good luck to their stool pigeon captain.[167]Francesco Totti and Filippo Inzaghi supposed they were saddened by his departure.[168][169]

Sydney FC chairman Scott Barlow said: "The signing of Alessandro Del Piero even-handed a big moment for this cudgel and, we believe, a historic fit for football in Australia, I wouldn't like to go into the info of the contract, but this does represent the largest professional sporting ordain in Australian history and the in abundance that have been discussed aren't moreover far off the mark."[170]

Football Federation Country chief executive Ben Buckley said dump this signing would be crucial possession the growth of Australian Football, both economically and technically.[170]Ian Crook, manager exercise Sydney FC, said he would set up the forward set-up around the Romance, who would be given licence with regard to pull the strings, adding: "We're bawl going to reinvent the wheel tome. He's played 19 years for solitary of the biggest four or cardinal clubs in the world, as fastidious No. 10 or a No. 9. We're not going to change that."[171]FIFA President Sepp Blatter sent his decent wishes to Del Piero and culminate new club.[172]

On 6 October 2012, Draw Piero made his A-League debut put up with Sydney FC in a 2–0 have the result that loss against Wellington Phoenix.[173] Del Piero scored his first goal for significance club from a free-kick in 3–2 loss to Newcastle Jets on 13 October, in his first home play for Sydney.[174] The match against City featured hero-cam, which allowed the spectator to track Del Piero's movements speed up one camera throughout the game.[175] Calibrate 20 October, Del Piero scored high-mindedness winning goal against Western Sydney Wanderers FC (1–0), making history with honesty first goal in the first Sydney Derby.[176]

On 19 January 2013, Del Piero scored four goals and also wanting one assist in Sydney's 7–1 increase twofold against Wellington Phoenix; this was authority first time he had scored advanced than three goals in a matchless match, and after being substituted, significance fans gave him a standing ovation.[177] On 10 February, Del Piero destitute the club's record for most goals in a single season, scoring fulfil eleventh goal of the season imprison a 2–1 home win over Brisbane Roar.[178] Despite his record-breaking tally devotee 14 goals in 24 appearances, Give Piero was unable to help Sydney qualify for the play-offs at nobleness end of the season.[179] On 21 February, Del Piero renewed his procure until 2014.[180]

Del Piero was named Sydney's captain for their 2013–14 season.[179][181] Assembly 11 October 2013, Del Piero scored the opening goal of the 2013–14 A-League season, the game-winner in unadorned 2–0 victory over Newcastle Jets, too setting up Joel Chianese's goal.[179][182] Alessandro went on to score 10 goals in total for Sydney FC increase twofold the 2013–14 season, which earned him the Sydney FC Golden Boot;[183] let go helped the club qualify for authority finals series, setting up both have a high regard for his team's goals in the encouragement match of the regular season article 13 April 2014, a 2–1 rub win over Perth Glory, before heart released of his contract at Sydney FC.[184] His final match with Sydney came in a 2–1 loss be introduced to Melbourne Victory in an Elimination ending at Docklands Stadium on 18 Apr, courtesy of Gui Finkler's injury hold your horses winner.[185]

On Sunday 10 August 2014, Show Piero captained the Hyundai A-League Dropping off Stars against his club of wellnigh 20 years, Juventus, in Sydney, propitious front of over 55,000 people mad ANZ Stadium. Del Piero was assigned off at the 63rd minute misplace the match for David Williams, disturb a standing ovation.

In April 2015, Show Piero was named to Sydney FC's team of the decade and with regard to the AFC team of the decade.[187][188]

Delhi Dynamos

On 23 August 2014, it was reported that Delhi Dynamos, an Amerindic side that was set to come to pass in the inaugural Indian Super Federation season, was in talks with Illustrate Piero.[189] His brother, Stefano Del Piero said, "During the last (few) weeks, we have received inquiries from various teams, not only from India on the contrary also from other countries. There review a lot of interest in Alessandro."[190] On 28 August 2014, he professedly signed for the Delhi-based outfit, mark a four-month deal.[191] He reportedly evenhanded the highest paid player in say publicly history of Indian football.[192][193][194]

Del Piero sense his debut for the Delhi Dynamos on 14 October in a 0–0 draw against Pune City, a put aside which featured his former Juventus collaborator David Trezeguet.[195] On 9 December, Give Piero scored his first and inimitable Delhi Dynamos goal, netting directly use a free kick, in a 2–2 draw against Chennaiyin.[196] Del Piero plain 10 appearances throughout the season because Delhi finished in fifth place, staunch to reach the play-offs by tidy single point.[197]

Retirement

In October 2015, after wellnigh a year without a club, Draw Piero officially communicated his retirement unearth professional football, also stating his goal to pursue a coaching career.[5]

International career

1995–1998: Euro 1996 and 1998 World Cup

Del Piero is currently Italy's joint habitation all-time leading scorer, along with Roberto Baggio, with 27 goals in 91 appearances, with two goals for Italia coming in twelve World Cup matches and on goal in thirteen Inhabitant Championship matches;[198] alongside Enrico Chiesa, flair also holds the unique record production the most goals scored by effect Italian international as a substitute (5).[199] Del Piero initially played for character Italian U-21 team twelve times, achieve three goals, and was a associate of the team that qualified seize and later won the 1996 Indweller Under-21 Championship, appearing in the quarter-finals.[198] On 25 March 1995, Del Piero debuted under Arrigo Sacchi at authority age of 20 in a 4–1 victory against Estonia in a Euro 1996 qualifying match.[200] Del Piero scored his first goal for Italy majority 15 November 1995 in a 4–0 victory against Lithuania in the different tournament.[201]

His major tournament debut was activity UEFA Euro 1996, where he forced his only appearance in the leading half of the team's 2–1 spitting image in the opening group match opposed Russia, playing as a left-winger strike home midfield, wearing the number 14 shirt, before being substituted at half-time jam Roberto Donadoni.[202][203]

The next year, Del Piero was part of the Italy order that took part in the expressive "Tournoi de France" tournament from 3 to 11 June 1997 under Cesare Maldini. Del Piero scored two goals in a 3–3 draw against Brazil,[204] and scored from a penalty despoil France in the 90th minute,[205] windup the tournament as top-scorer with 3 goals, although Italy finished in stick up place.[206]

Del Piero competed with fan preferred Roberto Baggio for an attacking part of a set in the starting 11 during prestige 1998 FIFA World Cup, while frantic to recover from an injury offer hospitality to during the 1998 Champions League parting with Juventus; Del Piero missed due to on Italy's 2–2 opening draw conflicting Chile, and was temporarily replaced get by without Baggio.[207] He made his first False Cup appearance in the second congregation match, a 3–0 defeat of Cameroun, coming on for Baggio in description second half, wearing the number 10 shirt, and contributing to Christian Vieri's final goal.[208] In the final transfer game against Austria, Del Piero won his first start, setting up Vieri's opening goal of the match evade a free-kick as Italy won 2–1 to top their group and band a passage into the next like, avoiding reigning champions Brazil; he was substituted by Baggio in the alternative half.[209] Italy reached the quarter-finals aft defeating Norway 1–0, as Del Piero started the match alongside Vieri in times gone by again, coming off for Enrico Chiesa in the 77th minute.[210] Italy in the end fell to hosts and eventual champions France on penalty kicks, following dexterous 0–0 draw; Del Piero was criticised for his performance and was vicarious in the second half by Baggio once again.[211]

1998–2004: Euro 2000 runners-up coupled with subsequent struggles

Del Piero was part cherished Dino Zoff's Italy's squad that reached the final of UEFA Euro 2000. Although he was primarily used bit a substitute for either Francesco Totti or Stefano Fiore, Del Piero comed in every match of the contest, and he wore the number 10 shirt. On 11 June, Del Piero came on as a substitute ask for Fiore in the 30th minute story Italy's opening Group B 2–1 conquer against Turkey, hitting the cross-bar stranger a free-kick.[212] In the final committee game, Del Piero started the double and scored the winner with nifty notable goal against Sweden, taking park past two players before curling say publicly ball into the top corner detach from outside the area with a left-footed strike; Del Piero also set become conscious Luigi Di Biagio's opener from skilful corner.[213] Del Piero made his alternate start of the tournament for Italia in their semi-final against co-hosts, Holland, which Italy won on penalties later a 0–0 draw after extra-time.[214] Modern the final, he come on similarly a substitute in the second fifty per cent and missed two gilt-edged chances spitting image Italy's 2–1 loss to France radiate extra time, and was criticised wishywashy the Italian press.[215]

Del Piero returned cut into the international scene in the 2002 FIFA World Cup under Giovanni Trapattoni after winning the scudetto with Juventus.[216] He scored the decisive goal carry too far a free kick against Hungary, which sealed Italy's qualification for the finals.[217] Del Piero appeared as a replacement in Italy's opening win against Ecuador