FIFA World Cup™ Germany 2006 player's profile

When Alessandro Del Piero joined Juventus from Padova, most football observers in Italy had heard of his precocious talent. His first season with the Turin giants saw him make his Serie A debut and lead the youth team to victory in the national championship and the Viareggio Tournament.
Del Piero’s footballing prowess is such that Marcello Lippi elected to build his Juventus team around the youngster, rather than an ageing, but still highly effective Roberto Baggio. The decision would prove to be an inspired one as the Bianconeri lifted trophy after trophy, both in Italy and abroad. The crowning moment for Del Piero came in Tokyo in 1996 when his wonderful goal against River Plate secured victory for Juventus in the Toyota Cup.

Alex’s early years at Juventus were successful but he did not have it all his own way. A physically slight man, Del Piero had to work hard to build muscle strength and his speed off the mark, two vital ingredients for those wanting to succeed in the modern game. A combination of these new found attributes, outstanding technique and an eye for goal, soon earned him the nickname Pinturicchio from Gianni Agnelli, the owner of Juventus at the time.

Comparisons with the renaissance painter were apt for a player whose abilities elevated the beautiful game to a new artistic plane. The Italian media even began calling the curling shot from the left-hand edge of the penalty area into the top right-hand corner of the net the ‘Del Piero goal’.

A serious knee injury suffered in 1998 was a major setback for Del Piero and marked a turning point in his career. When he returned to the field of play nine months later it was clear he had lost some of his sheen. A lack of form is arguably the best time to search for real winners and Del Piero would not disappoint.

Comeback battle
Juventus kept faith with the forward and continued to pick him in an attempt to coax the best from a player with little to prove in terms of ability. For his part, Del Piero showed a level of perseverance that few would have given him credit for. He adapted his game to suit his loss of speed and was rewarded with a return to form.

Del Piero also began to make his presence felt as a leader and not only on the pitch. An omission from the starting line-up due to loss of form would inspire a tantrum in many star players. Not so Del Piero, who is prepared to bide his time on the bench waiting for his opportunity.

The extraordinary thing is that despite starting an increasing number of games from the substitutes’ bench, Del Piero still finds the net at the same rate as before and has recently become Juventus’ all-time top goal-scorer. The fans adore him thanks to this exemplary attitude and his image as a one-club player.

Del Piero’s professionalism was further demonstrated when he diplomatically handed the prestigious number ten Azzurri shirt to Francesco Totti, saying he preferred the number seven. The upcoming 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ represents a big chance for a player who many perceive to have underperformed for his country. His best moment with the national team remains his winning goal against Mexico in the group stage match at Korea/Japan 2002.

Del Piero may not have the same box-to-box qualities as Totti, but if he continues to show the same willingness and humility, he may yet have a vital part to play at Germany 2006. His ability to play in a supporting role to the leading striker, or as a wide midfielder, means that he still has much to offer. This versatility in such an experienced footballer can make the difference between winning and losing.

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UEFA Champions League 2005-06 player's profile

One of the biggest names in calcio, Alessandro Del Piero thrives on outwitting defenders, is a deadly finisher and a major threat from free-kicks.

National team
Del Piero represented his country at EURO '96™ and the 1998 World Cup, having made his debut against Estonia in 1995. Helped Italy reach the UEFA EURO 2000™ final but missed a great chance in the loss to France. At the 2002 FIFA World Cup he was second in coach Giovanni Trapattoni's thinking behind Francesco Totti, though he did score against Mexico, and struck five goals in six UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying matches but failed to find the net in three starts in Portugal. Not a regular under new coach Marcello Lippi, he still claimed Italy's winner in the 2006 World Cup qualifier in Moldova.

Club
The Treviso-born star joined Juventus FC in 1993 after just 14 games for Serie B club Padova Calcio, and quickly became an integral part of a team whose attack also boasted the holy trinity of Roberto Baggio, Fabrizio Ravanelli and Gianluca Vialli. As Del Piero matured, his dazzling runs and free-kicks helped the club to three successive UEFA Champions League finals; he was part of the team that defeated AFC Ajax to win the 1995/96 edition but he also played in two subsequent final defeats, against BV Borussia Dortmund in 1996/97 - when Del Piero scored a fantastic back-heeled goal - and Real Madrid CF the following year. He helped them to titles in 1994/95, 1996/97, 1997/98, 2001/02 and 2002/03, in the latter season experiencing another Champions League final defeat, this time to AC Milan, although he did score in the penalty shoot-out. He managed eight league goals the next season despite suffering with muscle injuries.

2004/05: Substituted 28 times in Serie A, Del Piero nevertheless played a crucial role in Juve's 28th and his sixth Serie A triumph, scoring 14 league goals and setting up David Trezeguet's crucial winner at Milan in May.

Did you know?
'Pinturicchio' was man of the match in Juve's European/South American Cup success against CA River Plate in 1996.

©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved.

UEFA EURO 2004™ player's profile

One of the biggest names in calcio, Alessandro Del Piero thrives on outwitting defenders, is a deadly finisher and a major threat from free-kicks.

National team
Del Piero was blamed for Italy's defeat by France in the UEFA EURO 2000™ final when he squandered a glorious goalscoring opportunity. And at the 2002 FIFA World Cup he was second in coach Giovanni Trapattoni's thinking behind Francesco Totti, though he did score in the group game against Mexico. Del Piero also represented his country at EURO '96™ and the 1998 FIFA World Cup, having made his debut against Estonia in 1995.

UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying
Del Piero struck five goals in six matches. Of those, the match in Serbia and Montenegro was his only barren game. He missed the home victories against Finland and Azerbaijan because of injury.

Club
The Treviso-born star joined the Turin side in 1993, after just 14 games for Serie B club Padova Calcio, and quickly became an integral part of a team whose attack also boasted the holy trinity of Roberto Baggio, Fabrizio Ravanelli and Gianluca Vialli. As Del Piero matured, his dazzling runs and free-kicks helped the club to three UEFA Champions League finals - he was part of the team that beat AFC Ajax to win the 1995/96 edition but he also played in two subsequent final defeats. In 1996/97, he scored a fantastic back-heeled goal but it was not enough to prevent BV Borussia Dortmund winning 3-1 in Munich. The following year the Bianconeri lost again, 1-0 against Real Madrid CF. In 2002/03 Del Piero scored 16 times in 24 Serie A matches as Juve won their fifth championship during his time at the club and a second in succession. He also struck five times in 13 Champions League outings, and was one of only two Juve players to score in the final shoot-out defeat by AC Milan.

2003/04: Del Piero missed 12 games with muscle injuries, but still scored eight goals as Juventus finished third in Serie A.

Did you know?
'Pinturicchio' was man of the match in Juve's European/South American Cup success against CA River Plate in 1996.

©uefa.com 1998-2004. All rights reserved.