New Sydney FC hero Alessandro Del Piero says taking on an entirely new challenge played a massive role in his move to the Hyundai A-League.
New Sydney FC hero Alessandro Del Piero says taking on an entirely new challenge played a massive role in his move to the Hyundai A-League.
Speaking at a packed press conference in Turin on Wednesday, the former Juventus and Italy striker cut a relaxed figure, despite four days of intense negotiations with the Sky Blues, talks that ultimately saw the 37-year-old become the highest-profile recruit in A-League history.
Del Piero was courted by several other clubs, including Tottenham, Celtic, Switzerland’s Sion and most recently Liverpool but has opted to explore football outside of the big European leagues.
“I needed something different in all respects,” he said.
“I wanted to confront something new in every way and in this sense I think Sydney is perfect.
“Here I have done all I had to do. I think it would be the best choice, really.
“(But) I wish I could live another 50 years as a player to enjoy many types of football.
“The Premier League has always fascinated me and places such as Brazil. There is an evolution in Russia. Things change in Australia and you want to change.”
Although the likes of Dwight Yorke (Sydney FC), Robbie Fowler (North Queensland Fury and Perth Glory) and Harry Kewell (Melbourne Victory) have previously performed on Australian soil, Del Piero might even be a bigger name than that trio, especially as he is coming off a season where Juventus won the Serie A title.
Having played a part in Juve going unbeaten through the Serie A campaign, Del Piero is confident he can contribute to a big season for the Sky Blues, despite his age.
“I’m old, but not enough to remember what it was like for Pele at the (New York) Cosmos,” he said, referring to the Brazilian’s time at the American club in the mid-1970s.
“I know what happened to him in the USA, but we are from different eras.
“There are similarities,” he added. “(Like Pele) there is the desire to create something unique.”
But while Sydney will be his home for the next two seasons, the former Juve skipper said his heart would still belong in Turin.
“My affection for Juve certainly will not end today,” Del Piero said.
“It was not even finished the day that I realised that I would not play for Juve anymore
“I gave everything and more than I could give.
“I remember all the happy pages of my history at Juventus, including the last year, one of the most complicated.
“(But) today is a day dedicated to a different team, a city, a country and a continent.
