I'm no mummy's boy, says Del Piero

August 8, 2000
Onefootball.com

Alessandro del Piero hit back on Tuesday after Juventus honorary president Umberto Agnelli ordered him to raise his game ahead of the new Serie A season - and warned that the club can no longer afford to treat him like a "mummy's boy".

Agnelli hit out after the highest-paid player in Italy lost form last year, a development blamed in many quarters for the Turin side's eventual Scudetto defeat to Lazio.

He said: "We were very prudent with Del Piero last season. We protected him quite a bit, but this season he will be treated just like the others. If he doesn't play well, he won't get picked."

The striker dismissed Agnelli's "mummy's boy" jibe but acknowledged that he deserved no special treatment in a team packed with talent - including new French signing David Trezeguet, who scored his country's Golden Goal in the Euro 2000 final after Del Piero had missed two simple chances at the other end.

The Azzurri star said: "What Agnelli was talking about is valid for all players, not just me. If you don't play well, you don't deserve to play - that's obvious. Sure, I receive affection from the club, but I have never asked for it."

Del Piero added that he did not feel under extra pressure to justify his vast salary, thought to be worth around £70,000 a week.

"It's right that Juventus want more from me," he said. "But my contract isn't a problem and I don't think that Agnelli said anything about that. My contract not only concerns football but my commercial value and I think that Juventus get value for money from me."

Juve's No 10 was also in a positive frame of mind ahead of the new season, which kicks off later than usual in September so Italy can send a strong squad to the Sydney Olympics.

"There is a powerful connection between me, Juventus and the supporters," Del Piero said. "Now we have a great team, stronger than last season.

"I have to play better, that's true. But I'm relaxed. All the luck came my way for a few years when we won everything, now I'm due some more."
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