he jersey of Italian soccer great Alessandro Del Piero was sold for Rp 80 million (US$5,715) in a charity auction dedicated for the victims of Mount Sinabung eruptions held at JW Marriot Hotel Medan, North Sumatra, on Friday evening.
The jersey was used by Del Piero in his last appearance with Juventus, his club for 14 years, in a Coppa Italia match against Napoli at Olimpico Stadium in Rome on May 20, 2012. Juventus lost in the cup, but secured the Serie A title that year.
“It’s [jersey] so special to me, I used it in my last appearance [with Juventus],” said Del Pier, who was on a two-day visit to Medan starting on Thursday for a list of soccer related events, including the charity night.
The 43-year-old further said he was happy to be part of the charity, saying: “Football is humanity.”
The winning bidder of Del Piero’s jersey was local resident Henry Usman, who presented the jersey to his son, Denzel Usman, a Juventus fan.
Apart from the jersey, the charity auction also earned Rp 12.5 million for two soccer balls signed by the former captain of Juventus and the Italian national soccer team.
Eruption victim Keny Sembiring appreciated Del Piero’s gesture, saying that it was inspiring to know that the soccer legend was also a philanthropist.
Del Piero’s visit to Medan was endorsed by businessman Sihar Sitorus, the president of Pro Duta soccer club.
Sihar, a former executive committee member of the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI), is also running for deputy governor of North Sumatra in the upcoming regional elections.
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