Paulo Dybala Adding to Juventus Legacy of Zinedine Zidane and Andrea Pirlo

There is little doubt that Paul Pogba quitting on Juventus affected those he left behind in Turin, a squad of players working toward a common goal but seemingly blindsided by the Frenchman’s decision to return to Manchester United.

According to Tuttosport (h/t Goal), his former Bianconeri team-mates feel betrayed by Pogba’s actions, particularly as it appears he gave them the impression he would stay at least one more season to help with the club’s ambitions of UEFA Champions League glory.

One side issue to his departure was the fact he wore the No. 10 previously donned by the likes of Michel Platini and Alessandro Del Piero, with this previous post analysing the rich legacy of that particular Juventus shirt.

It remains unassigned this term after perhaps the most likely candidate—star striker Paulo Dybala—insisted he had no interest in taking ownership of it during a newspaper interview back in April.

Juventus’ta Platini, Baggio, Del Piero’dan sonra 10 numaranın yeni sahibi Carlos Tevez. pic.twitter.com/qVJI9fYpeY

— Colorsoffootball (@colorsofootball) June 28, 2013

“In any case, the No. 21 belonged to [Zinedine] Zidane and [Andrea] Pirlo and is worth a No. 10,” he told Corriere dello Sport (h/t Football Italia). “I have no problem in taking responsibility, but if someone stronger joins us, then he can have it.”

That keen sense of history is to be applauded, but the legacy of the shirt sported by the Argentina international actually predates the two men he mentioned, starting from when squad numbers were introduced in Italy back in 1995/96.

Having impressed Marcello Lippi during a spell with Reggiana, Michele Padovano joined the Old Lady in the summer preceding that campaign, and the journeyman striker became the original owner of the Juventus No. 21.

While his time in Turin did not see a sudden scoring outburst, he did net once in the club’s Champions League quarter-final win over Real Madrid, going on to convert a penalty in their final shootout win over Ajax.

@antoniolabbate this is that doppieta di padovano i was talking about. Happy memories http://t.co/HGefVnA8 Probably his best game for us.

— Ratul Chakraborty (@maxratul) April 10, 2012

The Bianconeri have not lifted European football’s ultimate prize since that famous night in Rome, meaning Padovano still holds a place in the hearts of all those who proudly wear the black-and-white stripes.

Yet before the following season began, Juve’s spot-kick hero switched shirts as he opted for the No. 11 and left the No. 21 free for a summer signing from Bordeaux who needs no introduction.

Zinedine Zidane’s first two years at Juve were simply phenomenal. Under the guidance of the brilliant Lippi, he drove the team to consecutive Serie A titles while also reaching the …

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