Marco Materazzi: 'Alessandro Del Piero deserves respect'

Former Italy defender Marco Materazzi has blasted the treatment of veteran striker Alessandro Del Piero by his club Juventus.

Del Piero, 37, will almost certainly depart Juve this summer after nearly two decades at the club, and Matterazzi has blasted the club's decision not to hand him a new deal.

"It does not surprise me. Gratitude in football has been dead for years. I think Alex could spend 20 years at the club, which would be a historic achievement, but Juve's directors have been clear and Del Piero is not stupid," Materazzi told Sky Sport Italia.

Del Piero made his 700th appearance for the Bianconeri last week.