Juventus talisman Kenan Yildiz wants to "build my own story" at the Allianz Stadium despite drawing comparisons to club legend Alessandro Del Piero. Yildiz, who first put on the iconic No. 10 jersey at Juve while still being just 19 years old, wants to carve out his own legacy in Turin while seeking inspiration from one of his idols in Del Piero, who scored a club-record 290 goals in 705 games.
Yildiz is Juventus' biggest hope
Juventus knew they had acquired a jewel when they signed the promising Yildiz from Bayern Munich's youth academy back in 2022. After spending a season with Juventus Next Gen in Serie C, Italy's third division, he was promptly promoted to the first team ahead of the 2023-24 season. While he only managed two goals in 27 Serie A appearances in his debut campaign at the top level, he had shown enough promise to earn a new five-year deal in August 2024, acquiring the iconic No. 10 shirt despite his age. The Turkish talent remained unfazed by the pressure, scoring 12 goals in 52 games in the 2024-25 season. He was among the lone bright spots in an otherwise dismal season for Juve.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesYildiz proud to follow in Del Piero's footsteps but wants to 'build my own story'
Speaking in an interview with UEFA, Yildiz was asked about the pressure of wearing the famous No.10 jersey at Juve. "At first, I thought: 'Oh my God, will I be able to do it with number 10?' But after that, I didn't give it much thought. I simply wanted that number, to shine and have fun. And to be honest, the number doesn't play a role, I play it. So I always want to give it my all and show what I'm capable of. I hope it's gone well so far and I want to continue like this."
On the comparisons with Del Piero, one of his idols, Yildiz revealed that while the legendary Italian is "one of those I've always admired," he wants to "build my own story."
“It's a fantastic feeling [to be compared with Del Piero]. The number 10 shirt is every kid's dream, and now I wear it on my back, at a club like this. I always say I don't like comparisons between me and him, because he's a legend; he's finished his career, while I'm just starting out. I want to build my own story. But yes, he's one of those I've always admired, and now I'm proud to be able to wear his shirt at this club.”
Del Piero proud of Yildiz's progress
Yildiz has emerged as one of the brightest attacking talents in Italy, while also earning plaudits as one of the best young players in the world. Taking on the mantle with the No.10 jersey, donned by a Bianconeri legend like Alessandro Del Piero, has resulted in added expectations on the shoulders of the 20-year-old. However, Del Piero believes the youngster is on the right track and doesn't need any advice from him.
"I like [that Yildiz is compared to me]. I like it, of course," said the former Italy international as a pitch-side presenter for ahead of Juve's 1-1 draw against Atalanta last month.
"I mean, I am happy for him. Kenan is a great guy in terms of mentality, in terms of how to approach the game and performing during the week. He sacrifices himself a lot in terms of making runs, in terms of helping the team. This is very important, of course. As team-mates, you want your team-mates to die on the field for you.
"On top of that, he's now creating more and more goals. Beautiful goals scored on some other occasions, as well as assists. He's becoming a complete player, a complete No.10. This is great for him and for Juventus.
"The fact that he took the No.10 as a teenager means a lot in terms of personality. And this is one point in his favour. The second thing is what it means. It means a lot of things. You need to prove every day that you deserve the jersey of Juventus. That's the key. I am happy for his journey. I am happy in that he's showing he's the best in every situation. He knows the importance of doing it every day."
In another interview earlier this month, he heaped more praised on the Turkish international. “From what I’ve seen so far, he doesn’t need advice. He’s a serious kid who loves to work hard and wants to become a symbol of this club and succeed,” he said.
“He’s doing it in the best possible way, in my opinion. Of course, there will be difficult moments, ups and downs, and in those times he’ll need to rely on the right people. I just hope he always has the right people around him, those who can tell him what he needs to hear at the right moment.”
Getty ImagesCan Turkish teenager restore glory at Juventus?
With two goals and four assists in eight games this season, Yildiz has shouldered the majority of the attacking burden. However, his output alone hasn't been enough. The Old Lady are currently experiencing a dip in form, having failed to win each of their last six games. Currently languishing in seventh position on the table, Igor Tudor's side are just four points behind league leaders AC Milan. Yildiz will be key to sparking a turnaround in the club's fortunes as they aim to challenge for the Scudetto.
Despite being tied to the club until 2029, his future at the club has been constantly up for debate in the media. Several Premier League giants such as Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United have shown keen interest in signing the left winger, but the Turin-based heavyweights have mapped out a meticulous two-year plan in order to secure the long-term future of Yildiz and ensure he helps the club in restoring their old glory in the coming years.