Del Piero Is A Champion - Platini

Del Piero Is A Champion - Platini

UEFA president Michel Platini hails Juventus striker Alessandro Del Piero and insists Pinturrichio is a champion.

The former Juve playmaker was full of praise for Del Piero after the Italian international finished the season as Capocannoniere with 21 goals for the Old Lady- his highest tally since the 1997/98 season when he took the calcio world by storm.

The European football chief insists Juventus don't need to buy any important players this summer as they have a winner in Del Piero.

"Important aquisitions? Juve already have a champion and it's Del Piero," Platini told La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

"Look what he has done at 34, it's extraordinary, I was way past it when I was 32.

"He has really worked hard over the past few seasons to be where he is now."

Le Roy also had a few words for Juve's bitter rivals Inter and the former French international insists the Nerazzurri deserve the Scudetto.

"I am not surprised, their third league win in a row," said Platini

"There is no doubting they deserve it after 38 games."

Juventus are currently in Hong Kong where they will play in a friendly tournament. Del Piero on the other hand will be joining the Azzurri set up in preparation for the Euro 2008 tournament next month following his call up by Roberto Donadoni.

goal.com