Alessandro Del Piero: Serie A is no longer the centre of the football universe
Juventus icon Alessandro Del Piero has shared his thoughts on the current state of Italian football, expressing concerns over the loss of ritual and patience in the modern game.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Barcex
Juventus legend and former Italian national team icon Alessandro Del Piero has offered a candid assessment of the current state of football in Italy. According to the former forward, Serie A has lost its status as the 'centre of the football universe', often relegated to a second-choice option for top-tier talent.
Italian football no longer excites people. It doesn't make their hearts beat faster. It has become flat. Once, Serie A was the centre of the football universe. Today, we have become almost a second choice. Great talents look to England and Spain. Alessandro Del Piero
Del Piero argues that the challenges facing the league extend beyond the sport itself and are rooted in a culture of instant gratification. He draws parallels between the digital age—where content is available on demand—and the loss of the 'ritual' that once defined the weekly football experience.
The former player insists that football, much like nature, requires time, patience, and the freedom to make mistakes. He criticizes the pressure on young players to be perfect immediately, noting that this mindset often leads to premature labels of failure. Del Piero calls for a return to values such as effort and unpredictability, suggesting that the sport must rediscover the art of truly loving the game.