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| | Sunday 30 November, 2008 | | Blog: Del Piero, 250 not out | | Alessandro Del Piero scored his 250th goal in a Juventus shirt, so Susy Campanale salutes a true living legend |  |  | | It probably says something about my age and the amount of time I’ve been watching Serie A that I remember seeing Alex Del Piero’s first goal. Oddly enough, that too was in a 4-0 victory over the similarly-named Reggiana (they were from Emilia Romagna and very different to Calabria’s Reggina, who were thrashed by that same scoreline for his 250th strike).
I recall thinking, ‘This kid’s pretty good,’ as the short, skinny 19-year-old burst into the same team as Roberto Baggio, Gianluca Vialli and Fabrizio Ravanelli. 15 years and two months later, he’s still there with the same black and white shirt.
I jumped out of my seat and positively squealed when he scored possibly the greatest goal I have ever seen, that famous volley with the outside of his foot to complete Juve’s comeback from 2-0 down to beat Fiorentina 3-2. I smiled every time he curled that ball into the far top corner in a goal ‘alla Del Piero’ that looked for all the world as if it were remote controlled. I stayed up at some ungodly hour to watch as he won the Intercontinental Cup in Japan with the only goal of the game against River Plate.
I watched in horror as he went in for a pointless stoppage-time challenge and struck his left knee against an Udinese player’s hip, snapping the anterior and posterior ligaments. “Imagine the knee is your trousers, held up by a belt and braces. Well, I broke both of them,” he explained during that nine-month lay-off and agonisingly long road to rediscovering his form.
I stood in a bar in Italy defending this immense talent as patrons bayed for blood after another particularly shocking miss in Euro 2000. I was moved as he found his career path in the worst possible moment of his life, scoring a sensational goal against Bari just days after his father’s death. I saw him captain Juventus on their Serie B debut in sunny Rimini and earn a standing ovation from the Bernabeu.
And now here I am, proud to say I was watching when Del Piero shook the snow from his hair before confidently burying a penalty in a 4-0 victory over Reggina. You could not find a better example of a great player, a good man and an honourable representative of club colours. Congratulations, Alessandro. Here’s to the next 250.
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He's a half legend, or a 70% one. He didn't do anything great for the Nazionale and you proved it yourself by mentioning the most contribution he made for the national team (albeit a negative one) was when he missed two golden chances against France in 2000. He and Raul are identical. Both are great with their clubs but not with their countries.
Nerazzurri Nut
A top class article, about a world class player, and also a class act off the field. The moments you describe watching the goals, the injuries, the milestones are oh so familiar to me and no doubt countless other people throughout Italy and the rest of the world. So many memories of so many goals. The goal versus Bari, coming off the bench just a few days after his father's death, the raw emotion laid out before us, strengthening the bond between him and us. Our Ale, Milan's Maldini and Inter's Zanetti seem to be the only true bandiere left, and it is an honour to be witness to such a fabulous career.
Adam Digby
Nerazzurri Nut has evidently forgotten the goal which buried the Germans in 2006. But then, what do you expect from a Nut?
Chxta
A fitting tribute for one of Italian football’s greatest ever players, a true legend and gentleman. I would also like to add that Del Piero's record for Italy is up there with the best and perhaps people should just accept the fact that he is a true great without always praising him and then adding but he's not done a lot for Italy. He is in the all time lists for caps and goals and he just happened to score one of the penalties that won the World Cup for Italy.
When I think of Del Piero I will always remember that day back in 1998 when he sustained that horrific injury against Udinese. I think of that day because there are few players in history that could have achieved what Alex has since then. The character and determination he has shown is a lesson to us all and he should receive nothing but praise for his incredible career.
Rodney
I too can recall most of Alex`s fine career. Now perhaps winning Serie B isn't impressive to some, however, the very fact that he stayed with his club and played with equal if not more determination than he had in the Serie A campaigns speaks volumes to me. Game in, game out he comes in with the same pride for his club. It has really been inspiring at times.
Every goal this man scores is a highlight. I think Mourinho should’ve talked about Del Piero rather than Ibra in his interview where he says Zlatan`s only problem is he always scores highlight goals. Even Zlatan could benefit from taking a page out of Del Piero`s book. Just search for compilations, as he has scored some of the greatest goals Serie A has ever seen. You know this analogy is brought up whenever discussing Del Piero - he's like a fine cheese or wine, he just gets better and better with age.
Joseph, Toronto, Canada
I am one of the many Juve fans who have been taken on a roller coaster ride by Del-Boy. He has however showed his character as a man that honours and respects the club and fans that adore him. His talent is well documented and 250 goals only speaks of the tireless effort he has put in to the Juve cause. I have been a fan since the first time he wore the black and white and will forever be a fan.
Lanre, Dubai
Alex Del Piero is getting better with age. I have watched him closely this season and his Champions League form has been fantastic. I can remember some crucial goals that Del Piero scored for the Nazionale, including the header against Mexico in the 1998 World Cup, semi final goal against Germany in 2006 and a penalty in the World Cup Final. Del Piero would have to be up there with the very best players of the modern generation, which would include Roberto Baggio, Paolo Maldini, Gigi Buffon, Francesco Totti and Christian Vieri.
Davide
I can remember him doing at least two wonderful things for the Azzurri in the 2006 World Cup. The beautifully taken goal that buried Germany and the superb penalty in the final shoot-out. Those were vital moments for us and they showed he can do it in blue as well as black and white. Forza Ale!
Matt, Brighton
A great article about a legend, but what shocks me is the post by Nerazzurri Nut, where did he get his info from?! First off, you comparing an overrated player with a legend is somehow disturbing to every Juve fan in the world… do you even watch football? Did you watch the last Champions League matches? Del Piero not being a great player for the Italian team is a myth created by the ignorance of some anti Del Piero journalists in Italy. Euro 2000, how did you expect a bench warmer in every game till the Final to play great?? Maybe before you blame him you should blame Dino Zoff. Besides, in the 2002 World Cup I remember clearly that Del Piero was the man who secured Italy’s passage to the next round when he scored against Mexico. If you don’t have faith in a player, then he will not deliver, just as the Coaches of the Italian team did not show faith in Del Piero.
Amrassaf
A fantastic article about a fantastic player. We sometimes forget that this particular individual stood by his club when they needed him most, and has been rewarded. Alex is truly a master of what he does and to think that he is 34 and plays with the heart of an 18-year-old shows his true ability. His goal against Germany in the World Cup still replays in my mind, not to mention the penalty shoot out in the Final. I have always admired how players always shake his hand and go over to congratulate him after every match. The sign of a real gentleman. Happy 250th master…..
Angelo S
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