Bruna Furlan: «There was never an exaggeration to praise but now I say he is a good son. Worst moment? The injury in Udine in 1998 could have ended his career.”
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«It is difficult to say, but he is a really good son. Him and his brother too eh. We never exaggerated with compliments, even when he won everything. I never said: my son is fine. But now it’s okay, I can do it.” Bruna Furlan, mother of Alessandro Del Piero, former number 10 of the national team, of Juventus and who took his first steps among the professionals at Calcio Padova, speaks on the night before the fiftieth birthday for her son (born 9 November 1974).
Son of love, wanted, education in respect and values of the past: «To the gift – Mrs. Bruna tells “La Tribuna di Treviso” – I have nothing in particular in mind, I have never given him big gifts: I can’t get him clothes if he buys them himself. Well, when he comes to visit me I will prepare it for him quite a mess. He has more line problems now. He will eat part of it, come on, not half a dish. No need to exaggerate.”
Then the story of the first steps taken San Vendemiano (Treviso)where a glittering, unparalleled career begins: «He left home as a young man – says the mother – not even 14 years old, in Padua. He put a lot of his effort into it. Now I think I was crazy, to put it away at that age.”
The most difficult moment was the injury, which put his career at risk: «He also suffered a lot of criticism – admits Mrs Bruna – like when he had the injury, it wasn’t a trifle, it took a year to recover. Then he was successful, but his career could have ended there as well. That was the hardest moment Certainly, I was there at the Friuli stadium in Udine in 1998, I heard him screaming: I thought I was dying.”
The relationship between mother and son remained excellent: « He calls me often, he loves me so much. He doesn’t come as often as he would like, but he has a lot to do with his land: Now that he lives in Madrid, he often returns to Turin because his son now plays in Empoli, before he was in Los Angeles. He has many commitments, his children are also busy, he takes them to school.” Alex, a Juventus player since childhood, he got his Juventus passion from his father Ginowho died in 2001: « Yes, he was a big fan, but I was not before I met him. But around here we are almost all Juventus fans. And it ended up there.” His glittering career, until the last one with Juve in 2012: «I was there - Bruna Furlan closes – I suffered a lot, I cried. But a new life has opened up for him.”
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Bruna Furlan, Mother of Alessandro Del Piero
Editor: Good afternoon, Bruna. Thank you for joining us today. We’re here to celebrate your son, Alessandro Del Piero, as he approaches his 50th birthday. What emotions does this milestone bring for you as a mother?
Bruna Furlan: Good afternoon! Thank you for having me. It’s a mix of pride and nostalgia. Watching Alessandro grow into the person he is today has been a beautiful journey. Now, as he turns 50, I reminisce about his childhood, his hard work, and the values we instilled in him. It’s quite touching to reflect on how far he has come.
Editor: Speaking of values, you’ve mentioned that you never exaggerated your compliments to him, even at the peak of his career. Can you share a bit more about that philosophy?
Bruna Furlan: Yes, that’s true! I believe in the importance of humility. We never showered him with excessive praise. Even when he was winning accolades, I would say, “You are doing well, but there’s always more to achieve.” Now, it’s nice to acknowledge that he is a good son and has done wonderfully in his career. I suppose it’s easier to say this as a mother now that he’s older!
Editor: That’s a beautiful sentiment. Many people may not know that Alessandro left home at such a young age to pursue his passion. How did you feel about that decision at the time?
Bruna Furlan: It was tough. He left when he was not even 14! I often think I might have been a bit crazy to let him go so young, but he was so dedicated and determined. He had a dream, and as a mother, it was important to support him, even if it meant being apart. I always believed he was destined for big things.
Editor: Speaking of challenges, your son faced a significant injury early in his career that could have altered its trajectory. How did that period affect both of you?
Bruna Furlan: That was one of the hardest times for us. He suffered both physically and emotionally from the injury. It took him a whole year to recover, and during that period, he faced criticism that was hard to bear. But it was also a turning point. He showed incredible resilience, and when he came back, he truly shone. I believe those difficult moments shaped him into the player and man he is today.
Editor: It sounds like those experiences played a crucial role in his development, not just as an athlete but as a person. As he approaches this milestone birthday, what do you wish for him moving forward?
Bruna Furlan: I wish him happiness and fulfillment in whatever he chooses to pursue next. Retirement from professional football is a transition, and I hope he finds joy in new endeavors, whether it’s in coaching, business, or spending time with family. Most importantly, I hope he continues to stay connected with his roots and the values we’ve always shared.
Editor: Thank you, Bruna, for sharing these heartfelt insights. It’s clear that Alessandro’s success is as much a reflection of your values and support as it is of his talent. We wish him a very happy 50th birthday!
Bruna Furlan: Thank you! It was a pleasure talking with you. I’m sure Alessandro will appreciate all the warm wishes on this special day!