Alessandro Del Piero was the elegant standard-bearer of Juventus, a forward of exquisite technique whose curling finishes from the left channel became a signature of Italian football. Graceful, intelligent and unfailingly loyal, he spent the bulk of his career in Turin and departed as the club’s record scorer and appearance-maker.
His decision to stay with Juventus even as the club were relegated in the wake of scandal cemented his standing as a symbol of devotion, and he duly helped fire them back to the top.
With Italy he was a World Cup winner, his late goal in the semi-final helping carry the Azzurri towards the trophy. Blessed with vision, dead-ball mastery and a gift for the theatrical, Del Piero was one of the most complete attacking talents of his generation.