Alessandro DEL PIERO
Alessandro Del Piero is the infant prodigy of the italian football. He made a name for himself by playing for Padova before finding the final recognition with Juventus and its coach Marcello Lippi. With Padova, Alex played for 2 seasons in Serie B, collecting 14 games and 1 goal. That was enough for him to be noticed by Boniperti and Trapattoni, who still were President and Coach of Juventus.
He made his debut in Serie A the 12th of September 1993 (Foggia-Juventus-1-1). During his first season in black and white he scored 5 goals in 11 games, 2 of which versus Parma of Nevio Scala. During the first season of Marcello Lippi, he seemed to be shut out by the trident Vialli-Ravanelli-Baggio but nevertheless he was able to emerge, playing 29 games and scoring 8 goals. The third one he scored versus Fiorentina became part of the italian football history and began the triumphal ride that led Juventus to its 23th italian Championship. At the end of the season Juventus even won the Italy Cup, still versus Parma which, that year, proved to be its main contender in every competition.
Meanwhile Alex also won the "Tournament of Viareggio" with the juvenile team of Juventus. The next season Roberto Baggio moved to Milano and for Del Piero arrived the moment to be in earnest. The new trident was made by Alex along with Vialli and Ravanelli. Juventus struggled in the italian League but immediately took off, in the Champions League, by his goals. Versus Rangers Glasgow and Steaua Bucarest Alex started from the left side, then moved to the goal-mouth, and finally shot an high and fast lob which suddely fell down into the net. His name began to spread all around the world and his notoriety increased.
Meanwhile an italian SuperCup arrived along with the big challenge versus Real Madrid in Champions League. In Spain Juventus played its worst game of the season but during the return-match Alex pulled the chestnuts out of the fire by one of his unstoppable free-kicks. The final triumph will come versus Ajax.
Nevertheless, the next season, Alex remained the only survivor of that successfull trident and new teammates like Boksic, Vieri and Zidane arrived. However he still proved to be the main protagonist. In Tokio Juventus won the Intercontinental Cup by an his magic.
Shortafter Juventus won the European SuperCup, versus Paris Saint Germain, and another italian Championship, still by his exploits. The only bitterness was the loss versus Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final. However, also that night, the only flash of light for Juventus, was produced by an extraordinary goal of Alex.
In 1996 Sacchi didn't believe in him and the defeat revealed itself to be unavoidable. The current season is, probably, his best season ever. He never scored that much and the World Cup is drawing near with all the italian fans hoping him to lead their country to the success. He proved to be an irreplaceable player for Juventus, as shown by the fact he is always there while his teammates change through the years.
Now he must become irreplaceable also for the National Team. Alex is a simple and generous boy who looks at Platini and Van Basten as his own idols, and, as it seems, he got something from both. He loves Cinema and especially Ornella Muti and Michael Douglas. Michael Jackson is his favourite singer. He keeps a very strong tie with his family and his brother Stefano is still his best adviser. Padova is his favourite city but Turin is the one which launched him to the football history.