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Del Piero visits Medan, thanks to Radja Nainggolan
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Italian soccer legend Alessandro Del Piero (center) speaks to the press during a visit to Medan, North Sumatra, on Thursday. (JP/Apriadi Gunawan)
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talian soccer legend Alessandro Del Piero touched down in Medan, North Sumatra, on Thursday for a two-day visit to the city with an agenda ranging from meet-and-greets to a coaching clinic and talent scouting.
Del Piero, who visited Jakarta in 2015, praised Indonesia’s strong passion for soccer and said he believed that Indonesian soccer would grow, especially with support from home fans.
“I came here to see the potential of Indonesian soccer, especially in North Sumatra, which is I believe the home of great talent,” Del Piero told the press.
The selected talent is set to get training before playing professionally in Belgium.
The 43-year-old who helped Italy win the 2006 FIFA World Cup said that he knew about Medan and North Sumatra from Radja Nainggolan, a Belgian soccer star who currently plays for Serie A’s Roma. Nainggolan’s father, Marius, hails from North Sumatra.
“I believe you have the talent here, just like Radja,” said the former captain of Juventus.
Del Piero, also known as Ale, received a warm welcome from Juventus fans in the city. In the Thursday-Friday visit, del Piero is set to participate in a coaching clinic, a talent-scouting session, fun soccer, meet-and-greet as well as a charity event for victims of the Mount Sinabung eruption.
