1. The miracle worker
No one doubts the Italian forward’s sublime skills but it seems those near mystical powers extend off the pitch. In February this year Inside World Soccer reported that a 12-year-old Juve fan was awoken from a 15-day coma by listening to a specially recorded message from her Bianconeri hero. It could be a sign from above for long-suffering Sydney FC die-hards who’ve often nodded off in the midst of some turgid play during the Lavicka era.

2. A tale of two loves
When people talk about Del Piero’s 19-season romance with the Old Lady you can rest assured they’re talking about Turin-based Serie A giants, Juventus, and not the other love of his life, stunning wife Sonia Amoruso. An item since 1999, the couple is a shining example that football really does overcome all obstacles – even derby hostilities – with the Amoruso family reportedly staunch supporters of crosstown rivals, Torino.

3. The perfect plan B+
It’s hard to imagine but just three months ago people were throwing around names like Ronaldinho and Michael Owen as potential marquee signings for the Sky Blues. That is until coach Ian Crook told everyone to take a chill pill. “Two individuals like that would excite any team but we have to be realistic,” he cautioned. And on cue, to prove no one was listening, the six-time scudetti winner (eight if you count the two titles revoked) stepped into the frame. Booyah!

4. Champagne Supernova
Okay the lyrics are pretty puerile but the title is an apt description for the fan of the now defunct Manc rockers, Oasis. Del Piero not only appeared in the band’s video of Lord Don’t Slow Me Down but counts former front man and Manchester City tragic Noel Gallagher among his close friends. Gallagher, of course, won’t be appearing for A-League half-time entertainment any time soon having described Australian football as shite and saying of Green and Gold legend Tim Cahill: “I would love to kick him in the bollocks.”

5. Didn’t I see you in Kaiserslautern?
The three-time World Cup veteran’s last appearance at the global showpiece was back in 2006 when Australia re-entered the world stage after more than three decades watching from the wings. As fate would have it, he made his first start of the tournament in the Aussies 1-0 elimination heartbreak against Italy but it was Del Piero’s substitute, Francesco Totti who delivered the hammer blow, converting the penalty earned by Fabio Grosso at the death. ADP went on to perform his own off-the-bench heroics getting his name on the score sheet in the 2-0 semifinal defeat of hosts Germany, then staying on target in the penalty shootout against France to help the Azzuri lift the cup for a fourth time.

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