The family of 12-year-old Jade, who lives in Ceredigion, Crotone, had asked Juventus to do what they could to help wake her from the coma, and the club duly obliged by sending a message from Del Piero.
The 37-year-old forward recorded both audio and video messages, in which he attempted to stir the youngster with encouraging words.
'Hello Jade, this is Alessandro del Piero. I hope you'll wake up and come back to us as soon as possible to watch many of our games,' he added.
Jade had initially fallen into the coma while watching Juventus in action a fortnight before and nurses at Cosenza hospital played the tapes on a daily basis in an attempt to get a reaction – something they eventually achieved when she moved her hand and began to respond.
Her father was delighted when she began to move and Jade had fully awoken within 24 hours of the first signs of movement.
'This revival was wonderful. There are no words, we are overflowing with joy and gratitude for everyone: for the doctors who have worked and watched our little girl and the love that came from on high,' he added.
Jade's first request after waking up may have disappointed Del Piero though, as she did not request to meet her footballing hero, but instead asked for a bowl of ice cream.
Richards said: “I did enjoy Twitter and the banter with the fans, but I didn’t like the abuse you get on it. Sometimes you want to retaliate, but you have to be the bigger man and not. “I thought it was just for the best for myself because it can affect your confidence if people are saying things about you. “I just thought it was best to come off and concentrate fully on football.” 
