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Former Southampton and Feyenoord cult hero Graziano Pelle has flown under the radar since he retired in 2021.
But the 40-year-old striker made a rare appearance on Sunday in a legends match between Celtic and his old Dutch side in Rotterdam.
Afterwards, Pelle gave an update on his life having dropped off the radar, telling AD: 'I live in Dubai and also do some work for Lecce, my club in Italy.'
He added: 'I haven't been back here very often. Just once. It's very special to be here. When they asked me, I came right away.
'They love me here, but I also love them forever. We didn't always win then. And me and the club love to win. In that respect, it was not always good. But the warmth of the people makes up for a lot.'
Pelle had an astonishing scoring record for Feyenoord, netting 50 times in 59 matches before earning a move to Southampton.
Graziano Pelle (left) has been in Dubai since retiring from playing and is now divorced from wife Viktoria Varga (right)
Varga, a model and entrepreneur, posted about the divorce on social media last year
He proved to be a key player for Saints as a target man, netting 23 times in 68 games over a couple of years before earning a lucrative move to China.
Pelle received as much press during his playing days for his good looks and high-profile relationship with Viky Varga as he did for his performances.
Described by Italian press as 'the most beautiful couple in football', the pair were together for 12 years but have now divorced.
Varga, 44, is a Hungarian model and entrepreneur and she married Pelle in Puglia back in 2022, the year after he retired as a player.
But last December she shared an update on her Instagram confirming the split following two years of marriage.
She wrote: 'Although as you know I don't often talk about my private life, I think it's correct to tell you that Graziano and I have decided to separate
'The 12 years we spent together were full of beautiful memories, growth and shared moments that we will always carry in our hearts. I kindly ask you for your understanding and respect for this moment.'
The reasons for the separation have not been disclosed and Pelle has never spoken publicly about it.
Pelle, pictured celebrating scoring for Southampton against Chelsea in 2015, had a solid goalscoring record for the club before moving to China
Pelle and Varga were described by Italian press as the 'most beautiful couple in football'
Pelle was such a hero among Feyenoord that Dutch publication AD says boys in the city used to walk around with his haircut at the height of his fame.
He showed he can still play, with a goal in a 2-1 win over Celtic legends as he featured in a team including Pierre Van Hooijdonk and Dirk Kuyt.
Celtic hardman Scott Brown even reverted to type in the supposed friendly, getting sent off late in the game.
Afterwards, Pelle was one of the players fans most desperately wanted a picture with or autograph from and local reports say he obliged for 30 minutes.
Pelle was one of the most successful Premier League exports to China and spent four seasons at Shandong Luen.
He scored 52 goals in 106 matches before returning to Italy briefly for one season with Parma before hanging up his boots.
