Milan senior advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic revealed what it was wish to compete with Alessandro Del Piero for a beginning position.
The 2 legendary strikers had been teammates at Juventus between 2004 and 2006. Whereas the Italian had already carved out a spot for himself within the membership’s historical past on the time, the Swede was solely a rising star on the time.
Alessandro Del Piero & Zlatan Ibrahimovic competed for a beginning position at Juventus
On the time, David Trezeguet was an nearly undisputed starter in Fabio Capello’s lineup. The French hitman was one of many best centre-forwards of his era.
However regardless of his younger age, Ibrahimovic was capable of problem Del Piero for a beginning position and even achieve the supervisor’s desire.
Whereas the battle for a beginning place between the boys sparked a significant debate amongst followers and observers, Ibrahimovic insisted that he and Del Piero shared a beautiful relationship.
The 2 males had been reunited on Sunday night forward of the Derby della Madonnina, with ADP working as a pitch-side pundit on CBS.
Ibrahimovic revealed his nice relationship with Del Piero
The enduring Swede revealed that the 2006 World Cup winner was his soccer idol on the time, so he cherished the chance to share the identical locker room with him.
“I arrived at Juventus when there have been quantity 10s in soccer. Clearly, Maradona was THE quantity 10, however then there was Alessandro Del Piero,” stated the Milan official throughout his pre-match look on CBS (by way of Tuttosport).
“I keep in mind he had these lengthy sideburns and white Adidas boots. Sooner or later, he was kicking a ball into the highest nook, and he left me speechless.
“He was my idol after I arrived, and now I used to be sharing the locker room with him. Clearly, nevertheless, we had been in competitors. So I advised him: ‘Ale, I really like you, however now we simply must compete and struggle for who will get to play.’
“It was an enormous honour for me. He’s a legend; there’s no want for me to let you know what sort of participant he was. Historical past speaks for itself.
“I shared the pitch and the locker room with him. And when you understand the participant that’s one factor, however when you understand the individual it’s even higher.”
Ibrahimovic left Juventus within the wake of the Calciopoli scandal and went on to play for a bunch of different prime European golf equipment earlier than ending his profession at Milan in 2023.
However, Del Piero refused to desert the sinking ship, taking part in an integral position within the membership’s revival. He guided the membership in the direction of yet another Scudetto title earlier than his bittersweet departure in 2012.
