After the unexpected hiatus caused by the postponement of last weekend’s game against Parma, Alex finally chalked up Juve appearance 553 and he did so in style. The Old Lady fell in Palermo, but their inspirational captain could hardly have done more after firing a brace and coming a whisker away from a hat-trick when his free-kick struck the woodwork.
The ever-fickle Press in the peninsula have been quick to write Alex off as past it, but despite their best efforts to exaggerate his off days this term, Del Piero remains inspirational.
The gifted hitman is no stranger to honours, but becoming the Bianconeri’s all-time appearance leader irrevocably cements his place in calcio’s Hall of Fame. However hard they try, the media can’t question this achievement. Del Piero’s name has become synonymous with Italian football and his legacy is assured.
For my generation it is hard to imagine a Juventus without Del Piero. After 15 years in the Bianconeri jersey, the Padova youth product embodies the indomitable spirit of the Old Lady. With the game full of prima donnas and flashes in the pan, Del Piero stands out as a man with a powerful love of the game and his club.
While it would be easy to list a catalogue of Alex’s glorious moments, the true measure of the man surfaced after the Calciopoli scandal. Faced with the prospect of Serie B football, many stars would have baulked. Instead, Del Piero stepped up and topped the Capocannoniere chart.
Granted, his career may be winding down, but a recent poll revealed that the majority of Italians want to see Del Piero in the Azzurri shirt at Euro 2008. Glory in Austria and Switzerland would be a fitting international swansong for a great servant to the Italian game.
With it looking likely that Pavel Nedved will sign a new deal at 35, Alex could probably have a few seasons left in Turin if that’s what he wants. But given his reluctance to outstay his welcome, we may be witnessing the final chapter of the Del Piero story – and what an epic it was.
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I just want to double underline the part where Paul Watson said: "However hard they try, the media can’t question this achievement". That is a great and a true phase. Alessandro Del Piero is without a doubt one of the best footballers of all-time.
Amrassaf
A living legend. What other player anywhere in the world has demonstrated his skills, goal scoring, personal qualities and ability for their whole career? George Best was the greatest ever, in my opinion, but he threw it all away. Pele, Maradona, don’t make me laugh. Maybe Johann Cruyff, but he never won a World Cup.
Alex we salute you and when you do decide to leave the field for good you will long be remembered by those who love football for much more than your 553 plus appearances for Juve.
Ray
Well said Paul Watson. As a 19-year-old calcio fan, Del Piero was one of the key reasons for me falling in love with Italian football in the 90s. Before the first of his many serious injuries, he was the world's best and to come back, win the World Cup, set the Juve appearance record, and I think I'm right in saying he holds the goal scoring record too, stick with the club through thick and thin and still be playing the way he played last night makes him a true legend of the Italian game.
Forza Ale!
Ross
I agree with Paul Watson, I cannot imagine a modern day Juventus side without Del Piero. I am a passionate Juventus supporter and for me Del Piero is the best active player in Serie A and the best after Roberto Baggio.
His skill and composure is sublime, not to mention his finesse. Bringing Juve back from the wilderness of Serie B last season is what epitomises his leadership of the team.
If you ask me, there are few or no veterans in the game today that would have stuck around, let alone virtually single-handedly brought back such a great club to the lofty heights they deserve. Roberto Donadoni doesn't know what he is missing in a champion like Del Piero. Di Natale, Quagliarella and whoever is Donadoni's preference ahead of Del Piero is nowhere near as prolific or as good as Del Piero is or has been at any point in his career. If you ask me, neither of them can attain the legendary status Pinturricchio has attained.
Charles
I completely agree with your comments. Del Piero has been an icon of Italian football and deserves nothing but praise for what he has accomplished on the pitch and also off it. I will never forget that day back in 1998 when he sustained that horrific injury away to Udinese, I was almost in tears and so worried that he might never play again. Considering so many people say he has never been the same player since its incredible to see what he has gone on to do and how he has silenced the critics time and again, a feat lesser players would have not been able to achieve.
As a Juventus supporter it is almost inconceivable that one day Juve will not have him to call upon. It would be an absolute crime if he was not selected for the Euro 2008 squad, regardless of how biased I am towards Del Piero, no one can deny that he has been in stunning form for Juventus this season and has earned his place at Euro 2008. If Donadoni does not pick Del Piero it will be clear that it is for personal reasons rather than professional ones.
He should always be remembered as one of the true greats of Italian football who gave everything he had for club and country, its just a pity he can't play forever!!
Rodney
Del Piero is a legend and embodies the heart and character that is missing from almost every footballer out there. I cannot imagine other superstars in the game accepting the bench wrongfully so many times to just keep coming back and proving everyone wrong. Forza Alex, see you at Euro 2008.
Adriano
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