Sydney FC star Alessandro Del Piero says he will assess how his ageing body feels at the start of the new year before deciding on whether he will play a third A-League season with the Sky Blues.
Sydney FC star Alessandro Del Piero says he will assess how his ageing body feels at the start of the new year before deciding on whether he will play a third A-League season with the Sky Blues.
Del Piero is currently in Italy with the rest of the Sydney squad for their six-match pre-season tour ahead of the Italian star’s second season in the A-League.
After making such a huge impact on and off the field in his debut season for the Sky Blues, club officials have already begun subtle discussions with Del Piero about extending his stay beyond 20-13/14.
Asked about the prospect of playing on past the next season, when he will be 40, Del Piero told the Italian media: “At my age prospects are always short-term.
“It may be my last year, it may not.
“I’ll decide after Christmas.”
The 2006 World Cup winners current focus is on getting himself and the Sky Blues ready for the A-League season opener against Newcastle on October 11.
Frank Farina’s side begin their ground-breaking tour with a clash against on Wednesday morning (AEST) against Del Piero’s first professional club Padova.
The Sky Blues have been treated like rock stars since they’ve arrived in the Italian seaside town, with more than 5000 fans turning up to a public appearance and 1500 watching the side train.
It’s also been an emotional return for Del Piero, back at the club that discovered him as a teenager and gave him his first shot as a professional footballer.
“Padova is a great team and they want to go to the Serie A…it will be a difficult game for sure,” he said.
“They play at home, they are (more advanced) than us in the preparation because next week they start the (Serie B) championship.
“We have jet lag and a lot of situations not good but we’ve worked a lot in the last three days and I think it will be a great experience for everyone.
“This will be a great game, for sure.”
Around 20,000 fans are expected to watch the friendly clash, which will be the first time any A-League side has played on European soil.
The Sky Blues are likely to field a full strength side for the Padova clash, with Thursday’s match (AEST) against a Udinese youth team to feature more of the fringe players.
