Sydney FC forward Alessandro Del Piero will play the 800th professional football match of his illustrious career on Sunday when the Sky Blues take on Perth Glory in the first ever Hyundai A-League match at ANZ Stadium.
Sydney FC forward Alessandro Del Piero will play the 800th professional football match of his illustrious career on Sunday when the Sky Blues take on Perth Glory in the first ever Hyundai A-League match at ANZ Stadium.
Del Piero spent 19 seasons at Italian giants Juventus, two seasons with Padova as a youngster and played 91 internationals for Italy and his fourth appearance for Sydney FC will see him chalk up 800 matches as a professional.
“I remember the first game. I remember all of my games because when you play with passion, everything stays in your mind,” said the World Cup winner.
“I have a lot of favourite moments but I love to remember every game because each one is important, not only for winning but when I lose a game because I understand something.
“When I played the first game I was really happy and that was enough for me. I was 18 and I didn-t know what would happen in the future. I had a lot of dreams and a lot of them happened and I-m lucky for that.
“I hope to enjoy myself on Sunday not only for the 800th game but also especially for the win.”
The game will also be notable for being the A-League-s first ever at ANZ Stadium but it-s not the first time there for Del Piero.
“I was there for the rugby league final and I enjoyed it. It-s a wonderful stadium with 80,000 people at the Grand Final – it was a big event. I don-t know if we-ll get 80,000 on Sunday, I hope but I know it-s difficult,” he said.
“We have support from all of our fans and this is important. It doesn-t matter if it-s 80,000 or 1,000 it-s important we stay together and step by step we are building more.”
Del Piero has started his Sydney FC career in great form, scoring twice in three matches ahead of Sunday-s clash with Perth Glory.
2012/13 Sydney FC Memberships are now on sale with Public Transport to and from the game from all over Sydney covered in the Membership price.
Purchase your 2012/13 Sydney FC Membership or call (02) 8314 5100.
