Del Piero: Juventus never called me to come back

There was something not quite right with how Alessandro Del Piero called time on his Juventus career. After having been with the Bianconeri for nearly most of his career, there were plenty of rumblings going into his last season that the club had not offered him a new contract.

Since that fateful day when he was substituted for the last time at Juventus Stadium and almost brought the game against Atalanta to a standstill as he did a lap of honor around the perimeter of the pitch, waving to the fans who all tried to get close to him for one final glimpse of the legend, he has been immersed in media activities and not really any official Juve business.

In an interview with Il Corriere della Sera (via Football Italia), he revealed that he had not been approached by President Andrea Agnelli or indeed anyone in the club’s leadership group to take on a directorial role in the background.

“I’ve never received such an offer and I am happy with what I am doing now. I would not want to have a role just for what I did in the past. That will remain forever and nobody could ever change it. The same is true of my bond with Juventus.

“I want to be considered for who I am now and what I can give.”

Juve’s stranglehold on the Scudetto was loosened last season after a difficult campaign saw them finish in fourth place in Serie A, with rookie coach Andrea Pirlo getting fired soon after.

“It’s unfair to blame Andrea, he was not the only one guilty, everybody struggled at Juventus last season.”

Did Del Piero see Juve losing both Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala with their contracts expiring at the end of this coming season?

“I think that CR7 has entered a phase of his career in which he can no longer do the same things he did ten or even five years ago. He has to adapt himself to his current potential, which is still very high.

“He will need to talk with Allegri and the club and decide if they want to continue together.

“I would make Dybala feel the trust, obviously if there is trust, and we can’t know that.”

The Bianconeri have been linked multiple times with impending free agent and Mino Raiola client Gianluigi Donnarumma, but the goalie looks to be heading to PSG.

“I can’t judge him because for me Juventus were a real value and their fans were superior to any other thing.

“It doesn’t have to be the same for everybody, I’m saying this without expressing any negative opinion on him or those who don’t share my view.”

Italy are being considered as a lesser favorite for Euro 2020 which begins tomorrow, what were his thoughts on the Azzurri?

“There is only one team in the first row and it’s France. I pick Belgium and England after them. As for Italy, it depends on the opponents we’ll face after the group stage, it’s something crucial in a competition like this one. However, I believe we can reach the final four in London.”