"Before I sign with Sydney FC I always ask about Australia," he said. "And many persons tell me always the same thing and when I come here I understand that.

"I'm very lucky that I do something like soccer. It's not really work but for me first of it is passion.

"From this everything starts. This is the key."

Speaking at "An Evening With Alessandro Del Piero" at Crown Casino, Sydney FC's Italian superstar was quizzed on a variety of topics in front of his adoring fans. 

Del Piero, who is set to play for the sky blues in Sunday's crucial clash against Melbourne Heart, was however coy on the names of other big name Italian stars who could potentially move to the A-League in the next year or two.

"That is something I first discuss with Tony [Pignata]," he said with a laugh. "He has to know before you.

"But for sure the eyes of all Italian soccer players is now really open about what happen here."

The former Juventus and Italy hero, who announced yesterday he would be remaining with Sydney FC for at least one more season, was mobbed throughout the evening by fans. 

He added: "I'm really happy when someone come to me for a picture or an autograph. It's good.

"I find a lot of passion in the veins of a lot of people here - not just Italian but English, Irish, Greek, Croatian, Serbian and many more.

"I hope something wake up here day by day."