I'm No Mummy's Boy, Says Del Piero
Alessandro del Piero hit back on Tuesday after Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli ordered him to raise his game ahead of next Serie A season – and warned that the club can no longer afford to treat him like a "mummy’s boy".
Cobolli Gigli hit out after one of the highest-paid player in Italy lost form last month, a development blamed in many quarters for the Turin side's inevitable Scudetto defeat to Inter.
He said: "We were very prudent with Del Piero last month. We protected him quite a bit, but next season he will be treated just like the others. If he doesn't play well, he won't get picked."
The striker dismissed Cobolli Gigli's "mummy’s boy" jibe but acknowledged that he deserved no special treatment in a team packed with talent. The Azzurri star said: "What Cobolli Gigli 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."
"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."