Bernardeschi decides against No. 10 shirt: 'I need to earn it'

Federico Bernardeschi declined the opportunity to wear Juventus' vaunted No. 10 shirt, explaining to reporters Friday he first has to "earn" the right to have that honour.

After the talented Italian winger completed his €40-million move from Fiorentina, there were expectations Bernardeschi would take Alessandro Del Piero and Roberto Baggio's old number.

But it remains unassigned, as Bernardeschi confirmed in Boston he has chosen No. 33 for the upcoming season.

"The No. 10 is a number I like but I'll need to earn it," he said, according to the club's Twitter account. "Taking the No. 33 is the correct choice at this point."

Bernardeschi has followed the same path as Baggio to Juventus. The Divine Ponytail swapped Florence for Turin in 1990 after five years with Fiorentina.

Both wore the No. 10 during their time with La Viola, but Bernardeschi is determined not to live under a permanent shadow.

"The comparisons with Baggio? Perhaps it's a bit disrespectful to him," he said.