Alessandro Del Piero on football, social media and the memories of 2006
Former Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero says social media can be more than a source of entertainment: used thoughtfully, it can help people connect, learn and share meaningful stories. Speaking at the Social Football Summit at Turin’s Allianz Stadium, the Italian football icon discussed his approach to online content, the anticipation surrounding the 2026 World Cup, women’s football and the experiences that shaped his life beyond the pitch.
Del Piero’s remarks offered a personal perspective on how a celebrated football career can evolve into a new relationship with the sport. Now a pundit and digital creator, he says curiosity, authenticity and a lasting passion for football remain central to what he does.
Why Del Piero sees potential in social media
Del Piero recalled feeling emotional when he posted his first TikTok video. He had approached social platforms with curiosity, he explained, and believed they were worth following because they give people a way to reach large audiences. Their value, in his view, is not limited to jokes, trends or short-lived entertainment.
He pointed to one of his most widely shared videos as an example of how a social post can carry an important message. Rather than creating content for a specific age group or online community, Del Piero said he prefers to show something genuine about himself at a particular moment. That approach, he suggested, is more rewarding than trying to predict what will appeal to every viewer.
His comments also touched on a wider debate about online identity. Social media can encourage people to carefully construct an idealised version of themselves, he observed, but audiences may respond more strongly to honest communication. Showing imperfections, rather than constantly trying to appear flawless, can make a public figure feel more relatable.
A global audience beyond the pitch
The reach of digital platforms has introduced Del Piero to supporters in places where he never played a full season. He mentioned countries such as Brazil and Indonesia, where he has connections through football but did not spend significant time as a player. That international audience illustrates how social media can carry a footballer’s story well beyond the stadiums and leagues most closely associated with his career.
Del Piero said he uses his phone for entertainment as well as sport. Animal videos, especially clips featuring cats and dogs, are among the things he enjoys watching. He is also interested in statistics about current and former players, reflecting the analytical side of football that can appeal to fans long after a match has ended.
He is open to continuing with digital formats, provided they feel natural. Dance routines, however, are not on his agenda. Del Piero joked that they would not be particularly interesting and added that he wants to keep learning—whether for his own development or to explore ideas that could be useful to others.
Bringing the 2026 World Cup closer to Italian fans
The 2026 World Cup was another major topic at the summit. With the tournament set to take place across three host countries, the competition will introduce many viewers to unfamiliar cities and stadiums. Del Piero described a collaborative project built around quizzes and interactive content designed to help audiences get to know the tournament’s groups and venues.
For Italian supporters, the next World Cup can feel distant for several reasons, including the national team’s absence from the conversation around the tournament. Interactive features, he suggested, can make a major event feel more accessible by giving fans new ways to explore its teams, locations and history. They can also offer casual viewers an entry point, while giving committed supporters an opportunity to test what they already know.
Del Piero was particularly enthusiastic about the stadium experience. Major international tournaments bring together venues of exceptional scale and character, he said, and being inside them creates a distinctive atmosphere. Even for fans following from home, learning about the host grounds can add another layer to the build-up and help make the tournament feel more tangible.
Memories of Italy’s 2006 triumph
The approach of another World Cup inevitably brings Del Piero back to 2006, when Italy won the tournament in Germany. The dates, teams and familiar rhythms of a World Cup can revive memories of that campaign, including the semi-final and final. Del Piero said those matches still give him goosebumps because he was not simply watching from the stands: he was part of the team and the experience.
For many Italians, 9 July 2006 remains a date associated with celebration and national pride. Del Piero noted that everyone remembers where they were when Italy lifted the trophy, although many younger fans were not yet born. He also recalled watching the 1982 World Cup as an eight-year-old, a reminder that football memories can connect generations. Revisiting moments of collective happiness, he said, can be valuable in itself.
His reflections were nostalgic but also forward-looking. Italy’s past success, he suggested, serves as a reminder of what the country can achieve. For supporters considering a World Cup prediction, history can provide context, but it cannot guarantee what will happen next. The tournament’s expanded setting, changing squads and unfamiliar venues will create new questions for fans and analysts alike.
Women’s football and the power of sport
Del Piero also welcomed the growth of women’s sport, pointing to the Italian national team and clubs such as Juventus as important contributors to its visibility. His perspective is personal as well as professional: his daughter plays football and has experienced the game in Australia, the United States and Spain.
That international journey has reinforced his belief that sport can cross boundaries of gender and race. Football’s appeal, he said, comes partly from its ability to bring people together around a shared interest. Greater visibility for women’s football can therefore benefit not only players and clubs, but also young supporters looking for role models and opportunities to take part.
A career shaped by movement and commitment
Del Piero’s own story began in a small village, where his father and brother helped nurture his love of football. At 13, he made a significant move to pursue the game. He said he did not feel homesick, even during difficult periods, because he kept his attention on the future and the possibility of achieving something meaningful.
That journey eventually brought him to Turin, which he called home for 18 years. Later chapters took him to Australia, the United States and Spain before his return to Italy. Living abroad changed his outlook, he said, opening him to different cultures and experiences. Although he once could not imagine a life away from football, his work in television has allowed him to view the game from a different angle.
The common thread, Del Piero explained, is passion. He says he still approaches new projects with the same intensity he brought to football: give an undertaking everything, or do not do it at all. That commitment, combined with a willingness to remain curious, helps explain why his interests now span football analysis, social media, family and the stories that connect supporters around the world.
