WHAT a life!
Alessandro Del Piero, now 47, holds legendary status in Italy as a member of the Azzuri’s 2006 World Cup-winning squad.
He also won multiple titles with Juventus, including six Serie A championships and the Champions League in 1996.
But, after all that hard work, Del Piero is now happily living a life of luxury in Los Angeles.
‘Pinturicchio’, as he was affectionately nicknamed by former Juve owner Gianni Agnelli, today rubs shoulders with A-list Hollywood stars.
In 2018, he splashed £4.7m on a luxurious home in Bel Air and lives near Jack Nicholson, Sylvester Stallone, Jennifer Lopez and Rod Stewart.
He also opened a trendy Italian restaurant in West Hollywood called No.10, where he can often be found propping up the bar.
And in 2019, United Premier Soccer League team LA10 FC proudly revealed that Del Piero has been their secret investor.
If that’s not enough, he has three football academies in the States – two in LA, one in New York.
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FRIEND TO THE STARS
Del Piero clearly loves hanging with the elite, and LA is just the place to do that.
‘Alex’ is in his element when he’s posing with new pals like Julia Roberts, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Johnny Depp and Dita Von Teese.
A HOME FIT FOR A KING
Del Piero lives in a modern 5,300-square-foot mansion that sits on a hill and has views of the ocean, rolling hills and the Getty Museum.
It’s got five bedrooms, six bathrooms and when you enter the property you walk into a hall that has a 20-foot high ceiling.
There’s a dining room with a chandelier hanging from the top, a family room, a cinema room and private balcony joined to the master suite.
Outside, you have a luscious garden, as well as a pool and a spa.
The condo was on the market for four months before Del Piero managed to snap it up for £4.7m, £150k cheaper than its listed price.
While it wasn’t a bargain, it’s certainly a plush house in keeping with Del Piero’s new found friends.
He also often posts snaps of his wife Sonia and their children Dorotea, Tobias, and Sasha on Instagram enjoying relaxing by the pool.
If you lived there, wouldn’t you?
DEL PIERO’S POSH LA EATERY
With food prepped by chef Fabio Ugoletti, former executive chef at Michelin star restaurant Al Gallopapa, Del Piero’s No. 10 restaurant on Third Street in West Hollywood provides brilliant Italian grub.
On the menu, there’s the ‘Pizza N10’ special that has stracciatella cheese and fresh shaved white truffle, which will set you back a whopping £75.
The pasta and risotto dishes, including a ravioli with butternut squash, sausage and porcini and a gnocchi with mussels, clams, shrimp, broccoli and chilli flakes will make your mouth water.
The pasta dishes are priced competitively at around £15-£18.
While the veal Milanese (£38) and a bone-in rib eye (£54) will satisfy meat-eaters, even if they have a heftier price tag.
Alternatively, you could pop in during happy hour and score yourself some appetisers for half price.
You may even see Del Piero sat at the bar, he has been known to greet customers as they walk through the doors of No. 10.
And in the past year he’s been visited by his footballing mates, including former teammate Edgar Davids and Ajax legend Patrick Kluivert.
LA10 FC
Three years ago, Del Piero was revealed as the secret co-owner of United Premier Soccer League team, LA10 FC.
The team, who play in black and white, were actually taken over by Juve icon and businessman Jeffrey Whalen in a private takeover.
“To me football is linked to pure passion. After all, this is what I’ve always wanted, to own a small football team. To feel the passion,” Del Piero confirmed on his website at the time.
“At the end of last summer I decided to become an owner of a small football team based in Los Angeles, in partnership with EDGE Americas Sports, of which I am a co-founder, and my business partner, Jeffrey Whalen.
“This adventure won me over immediately and today I’m officially revealing this exciting news for the first time. The team is called LA10 FC, our colours are black & white.”
And Del Piero’s glittering career and success has robbed off on his team with LA10 FC finishing first in their league, earning promotion to a division just below the American second division.
“After a period of anonymity, I decided to share this beautiful experience and give credit to the entire team for the amazing results they’ve achieved,” Del Piero added.
“A big thank you goes to the technical staff, the management and all the players.
“Now we are returning to the pitch for the spring season.
“Conquering the first success as an owner has had a special, different, new and fun feel.
“I like it because it brings me back to when everything was just a game.”
ADP10 SOCCER ACADEMIES
Ensuring he maintains his football status, Del Piero’s expertise on the football field lives on through ADP10 Soccer Academies.
The all-time leading appearance maker and goalscorer for the Turin giants has two schools in LA and one in New York.
For boys and girls aged between six and 16, ADP10 offers European style football training and a program designed by Del Piero himself, and carried out by Italian coaches he’s selected to work in the US with him.
A three-day clinic costs around £320 per child, while there’s a three-month development program for around £380.
And yes, Del Piero likes to get out on the field too to pass on his tips to the youngsters when he’s not busy.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
