Juventus playmaker Diego has lauded team-mate Alessandro Del Piero as a 'footballing genius' as the Bianconeri legend approaches his 35th birthday.

Del Piero celebrates his birthday on Monday and having given over 16 years service for the Old Lady, shows no sign of slowing down as he continues to impress with his trickery, creativity and eye for goal.

Speaking to Tuttosport, Brazilian schemer Diego, who arrived at the Stadio Olimpico in a £22million deal from Werder Bremen in the summer, was full of admiration for"Il Padrino"

"Del Piero is a great player. He is a genius of football."

"He is respected both on and off the pitch and he deserves it. He is also an extraordinary person.

"He is simple and has humility. He helped me a great deal during my first days at Juventus. It's a great honour to play with him," he added.

Del Piero will not feature for Ciro Ferrara's men when they travel to Bergamo to play Atalanta at the Atleti Azzurri d'Italia Stadium this weekend, as they seek to reduce the seven point deficit on Serie A table toppers Inter Milan.