David Trezeguet has opened up about his time at Juventus, reflecting on the defining moments, challenges and lasting pride of his decade in black and white. Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the former French striker revisited key episodes from his career in Turin, including near transfers, tough negotiations and the club’s fall after Calciopoli.
“I hear a lot about algorithms these days,” Trezeguet began, “but at Juventus I learned a much simpler lesson: only winning matters. And if you’re a striker, only scoring and winning count. It’s funny to think that after my first season, Marcello Lippi wanted to send me to Inter in exchange for Vieri. Later, he changed his mind and came to appreciate me. In the end, I stayed for ten years — not everyone can say that.”
The Moggi and Capello Episodes
Looking back on 2004, Trezeguet recalled one of the most difficult moments of his Juventus career. “That was the most critical period. I couldn’t reach an agreement for a contract renewal. Moggi was doing his job, defending the club’s interests, but I remembered what he told me when I signed in 2000, right before the Euro final goal against Italy: ‘A Juventus striker must score to earn his place.’ Fair enough. So, when I reached 100 goals, I asked for a raise. Moggi considered selling me to Barcelona, but Fabio Capello was decisive. He phoned me and asked me to stay — even though he was still Roma’s coach at the time! I wasn’t sure whether to trust him, but it turned out well. We had a fantastic team, and I honestly thought it would be easier to win the Champions League with Juventus. Instead, that same year, it was Barça who lifted the trophy.”
Staying Loyal in Serie B
Asked if he ever regretted staying after Calciopoli, Trezeguet was firm in his response. “Regret? Not at all. I’m proud I went down to Serie B with Juventus. Maybe I lost a year in footballing terms, but I earned the love of the fans and the club — that’s worth much more. In Serie B, everything felt strange: every match was like a national celebration for our opponents.”
How Juventus Signed Him
Trezeguet also spoke about his arrival in Turin and the figures who influenced his decision. “Zidane and Deschamps, my teammates from France’s World Cup triumph, told me to join them at Juventus. Even Platini called me before I signed. They all said the same thing: ‘David, here you’ll be judged by your goals.’ After my success at Monaco, I needed that kind of challenge. Zizou helped me a lot at the start — he used to take me to his favourite restaurant on the hillside.”
The Secret Behind His Finishing
Asked about the secret to his clinical touch in the box, Trezeguet smiled. “Instinct and training. Since I was a kid, I practised hitting the ball first time. I liked the pressure of always needing to score — I wanted to be the one who finished off the move.”
