Del Piero happy with pressure

Published Sep. 17, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Alessandro Del Piero is unconcerned about the immense pressure on his shoulders to live up to the hype of being Australian football's biggest-ever signing.

Still showing signs of a little jetlag at his first media conference since arriving in Australia 24 hours earlier, Del Piero said he was ready to get down to work with his Sydney FC team-mates ahead of the Hyundai A-League season.

The World Cup winner will train with the Sky Blues for the first time on Tuesday and could have his first match in Saturday's friendly against Newcastle in Budgewoi.

Sydney and football fans alike know the 37-year-old for goalscoring ability and playmaking skills and will expect Del Piero to deliver on the club's investment immediately.

It is a lot of pressure but Del Piero knows all about that.

"I know there's a lot of expectation, and I love that," he told the media. "I played 19 years with Juventus and in Juventus you have to win every game, every match, every year. Fortunately a lot of the time that happened.

"All my life I played to win and I'm here to win. (I'm not here) to pass the time or stay healthy with my family. I'm here because I trust in the win.

"I know it's hard because winning is not easy. On paper you write what you think and what's perfect to do but the real thing is to do it.

"It's a long way but I hope to do that and I'm here with this objective."