Why Douglas Costa could be Del Piero’s greatest assist for Sydney FC

Alessandro Del Piero’s first press conference as a Sydney FC player 12 years ago was broadcast live on national television – and it was standing room only at the sports bar inside The Star casino, where it was conducted.

A lot has changed. For starters, The Star is barely a casino these days.

Douglas Costa is unveiled to the media as a Sydney FC player for the first time.Credit: Edwina Pickles

Indeed, Douglas Costa’s first press conference as a Sydney FC player – easily the club’s biggest signing since Del Piero – was a decidedly lower-key affair.

It was conducted at Hickson Road Reserve in The Rocks on Monday afternoon in front of just a few journalists, some joggers and picnickers, two oblivious Japanese content creators (presumably YouTubers) and a strong, variable collection of passing tourists.

As for his airport arrival over the weekend, it wasn’t quite like the organic explosion of love from Sydney’s Italian community which greeted Del Piero, whose two-year tenure in the A-League didn’t feel real back then, and still kind of doesn’t.

Sequels are rarely better than the original. And it’s fair to say that Costa, the 31-time Brazilian international, won’t resonate with the public in the same way as Del Piero. Unlike ADP, his name sits just outside the limited knowledge base of the city’s football-agnostic community.

Douglas Costa with Sydney FC chairman Scott Barlow.Credit: Edwina Pickles

But for those who live and breathe the game, who appreciate his stellar resume and remember him from his days at Bayern Munich and Juventus, and who care more for what happens on the pitch than off it, Costa has the potential to outdo Del Piero.

“This is a good environment, and all the elements to be happy and to play happily [are here],” said Costa, speaking to this masthead through a Portuguese translator.

“I started playing when I was 17, and I’ve learned a lot and I have a lot to give – especially when I feel I have been so well received here. I feel like I’m really wanted.”

Indeed, Sydney FC fans have Del Piero to thank for this coup. It was on his recommendation that Costa decided to sign for the club, the two high-profile Juventus alumni having bonded during the Brazilian’s time with the Los Angeles Galaxy between 2022-23; Del Piero lives in LA these days.

“He came here a long time ago,” Costa said. “So I had good references that this is a great country, a great league, that it’s growing in its own time, and I believe that as time goes by, that you will evolve even further this process. And I’m happy to be part of this process.”

Costa’s sister provided another important endorsement. She has lived in Sydney for the past eight months and should help him settle quicker.

He is coming off a rotten six months at Brazilian club Fluminense, where the coach who brought him in was fired halfway through. He played just 22 times, mostly as a sub, and the fans rode him hard for not living up to their lofty expectations.

The question is whether Sydney, both the city and the club, can help make him fall in love with football again.

The early signs are good. Costa appeared to move quite well in his first training session on Monday morning. He defied jetlag to meet up with his new teammates for dinner over the weekend; the diva thing to do would have been to raincheck it. He seems to be genuinely invested, and happy to do what he’s asked.

Del Piero was 37 when he came here. Costa will turn 34 just five days before his likely debut in the AFC Champions League 2 on September 19. At that age, he should have much more to give than his spiritual predecessor, and coach Ufuk Talay is confident he can bring it out of him.

If he does, he will have a player who should - in theory - carve this league up. In theory, the crowds should also follow.

“At Sydney FC, we’ve always tried to lead the way,” said long-time club chairman Scott Barlow, who also helped orchestrate Del Piero’s recruitment.

“We’ve always been an ambitious club, always tried to set the standard, and I think this is just the latest example of that.

“When the possibility of Douglas joining us first came about, we all thought it was really exciting. It not only lifts Sydney FC and what we’re doing, but I think it lifts the whole league. And we’re pretty used to that.”

Now for the next question: will the Western Sydney Wanderers respond with their own marquee player, as they did 12 years ago when Del Piero sparked the signing of Shinji Ono?

This time, it could be Juan Mata, the former Chelsea and Manchester United star who last played for Japanese club Vissel Kobe – and by played, we mean for only 10 minutes, almost a full year ago. Sources suggest he was previously touted to Sydney FC. The rumours are rife. Watch this space.