You might have been forgiven for believing the former idol of the Azzurri was a spent force with Francesco Totti taking on the mantle as the new darling of Italian football.
But in a sign of the man and player, just when Italian nerves were fraying at the edges, Del Piero rose to illuminate his star again.
"It is a stupendous feeling to come off the bench and get us a goal that could calm us all down," said Del Piero.
"Everyone, when they are on the bench, wants to come on and get an important goal."
He added: "I have been out of the side, but I never gave up and obviously to come on and get the goal is great.
"I have felt in good shape even though I haven't been playing."
In the game against Mexico, Del Piero had to watch helplessly as Filippo Inzaghi and Christian Vieri started in attack.