Italy World Cup-winning legend turns down Man Utd and Newcastle – “No regrets”

Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero has revealed that he came close to joining Manchester United and Newcastle during his playing days but ended up turning down Premier League clubs.

Del Piero is a legend in his homeland after playing 91 times for Italy and more than 700 for Juventus – winning the 2006 World Cup and six Serie A and Champions League titles in the latter.

However, Del Piero's career could have been very different as the 49-year-old revealed that Man Utd and Newcastle made moves for him before they were eventually sacked due to his loyalty to Juventus.

“Yes, it happened with Newcastle and Man United,” Del Piero replied when talkSPORT asked if he ever came close to a move to the Premier League.

“It didn't happen in the end because I was the captain of Juve and I was happy for Juve and for me it was everything. I was a Juventus fan from the beginning when I was a little kid.

“I didn't want more money or a lot of things – they gave me good money in Turin and I became the captain and I stayed for 19 years facing everything from paradise to hell and I'm happy with that.

“A unique story and a unique journey.

“Yes, I would have liked to have the opportunity to play here because I always enjoyed playing here, but it didn't happen.”

Del Piero has 'no regrets' about never playing in England

Although he likes English football very much, Del Piero does not regret not being able to play in the Premier League.

The forward cherishes his years with Juventus – even when the Old Lady were relegated to Serie B in 2006 as punishment for their part in Serie B. Calciopoli the scandal of match fixing.

“There are no regrets because everything I have chosen in my career, I have no regrets – including being relegated to Juventus,” said Del Piero.

“It was a difficult decision, but I'm still happy that I did it because I believe in one way and it's still my way.

“Every time I came to play in England it was a lot of fun.”