According to the football website dooball: In Italian football culture, few squad numbers carry as much emotional weight and artistic romance as the number 10 worn by Alessandro Del Piero. Known as “Il Pinturicchio” (The Little Painter) for his elegant style of play, Del Piero’s name is permanently etched into the history of Juventus, the Italian national team, and world football. While he is universally celebrated for wearing the #10 jersey, his career journey also included iconic periods wearing the #9 and #7 shirts.
1. The Early Years: Padova and Early Juventus Era (#9 and #7)
Before inheriting the most famous shirt in Turin, Del Piero began his professional career wearing traditional attack numbers reflecting his young age and versatility.
Padova Breakthrough (#9)
- Senior Debut: Del Piero made his professional debut with Serie B club Padova during the 1991–92 season, wearing squad numbers typical for young strikers, most notably the number 9 shirt.
- Catching Juve’s Eye: His clinical finishing, dribbling, and vision at Padova convinced Juventus legend Giampiero Boniperti to sign the teenage prodigy in 1993.
Early Days at Juventus (#7 & #9)
- Tactical Rotation: During his first seasons at Juventus (1993–1995), Italian football had not yet adopted fixed personalized squad numbers. Del Piero wore various numbers depending on his starting role, frequently wearing the number 9 as a second striker and the number 7 on the wing alongside Roberto Baggio and Gianluca Vialli.
2. Juventus: 19 Seasons and the Immortal #10 Shirt
The departure of Roberto Baggio in 1995 opened the door for Del Piero to inherit Juventus’s most sacred jersey—the number 10, previously worn by legends like Omar Sívori, Michel Platini, and Baggio himself.
The Pinturicchio Era
- Inheriting #10: In the 1995–96 season, Serie A introduced permanent squad numbers with player names. Del Piero selected the number 10 shirt, immediately leading Juventus to UEFA Champions League glory in 1996.
- Unmatched Loyalty in Serie B: When Juventus was demoted to Serie B in 2006 following the Calciopoli scandal, Del Piero famously stayed with the club, stating: “A true gentleman never leaves his lady.” Wearing the #10 captain’s armband, he finished as Serie B top scorer and led Juve back to Serie A.
- All-Time Records: In 19 seasons at Juventus, Del Piero made a record 705 appearances and scored a record 290 goals—almost all wearing the beloved #10 shirt.
3. Italy National Team: The Battle for #10 and World Cup Glory (#7)
In international football with the Azzurri, shirt numbers were fiercely contested during Italy’s golden era of classic playmakers (Del Piero, Francesco Totti, and Roberto Baggio).
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The Iconic #7 Shirt at World Cup 2006
- Sharing #10 with Totti: While Del Piero wore #10 for Italy in major tournaments like Euro 1996 and Euro 2000, he graciously took the number 7 shirt during the 2006 FIFA World Cup so Francesco Totti could wear #10.
- Goal vs. Germany in #7: Wearing the number 7 shirt, Del Piero scored one of the most famous goals in Italian football history—a curling first-time strike into the top corner against Germany in the 119th minute of the 2006 World Cup semifinal, helping Italy win their 4th World Cup title.
4. Late Career Ventures: Sydney FC and Delhi Dynamos (#10)
Even after leaving European football in 2012, Del Piero’s global identity remained fused with his trademark number.
Spreading the Legend Globally
- Sydney FC (2012–2014): Signed as a marquee player in Australia’s A-League, wearing his signature number 10 shirt, scoring 24 goals and revitalizing Australian soccer attendance.
- Delhi Dynamos (2014): Concluded his active playing career in the Indian Super League, wearing the number 10 shirt as team captain.
5. Summary of Alessandro Del Piero’s Career Squad Numbers
| Club / Team | Timeframe | Jersey Number | Primary Role & Legacy |
| Padova | 1991–1993 | #9 | Young Striking Prospect |
| Juventus | 1993–1995 | #7 / #9 | Rising Star / Winger & Forward |
| Juventus | 1995–2012 | #10 | Captain, All-Time Top Scorer & Appearance Leader |
| Italy | 1995–2008 | #10 / #7 | 2006 FIFA World Cup Champion (#7) |
| Sydney FC | 2012–2014 | #10 | Marquee Captain & A-League Icon |
Conclusion
While fans will always remember his clutch goal in the #7 shirt for Italy during the 2006 World Cup, Alessandro Del Piero is forever synonymous with the #10 jersey at Juventus. His loyalty, technical artistry, and sportsmanship turned the Juventus #10 shirt into an eternal symbol of footballing royalty.
