Did you Know?
Despite previously announcing his international retirement following the 2014 World Cup, Pirlo reversed his decision, and under new Italy manager, and Pirlo’s former Juventus manager Antonio Conte, Pirlo returned to the Italian squad. On 10 October 2014, Pirlo started in Italy’s second Euro 2016 qualifying match, which ended in a 2–1 home win over Azerbaijan, overtaking Zoff with his 113th appearance for Italy. Pirlo assisted Chiellini’s first goal of the match from a corner kick. In August 2015, Pirlo was called for Italy’s Euro 2016 qualifying matches against Malta and Bulgaria in September; he appeared in Italy’s 1–0 home victory over Malta on 3 September, becoming the first MLS player to represent Italy. In total, Pirlo made four appearances under Conte, as Italy qualified for Euro 2016 on 10 October in a 3–1 win over Azerbaijan. On 23 May 2016, Pirlo, along with fellow MLS compatriot Giovinco, was left off of Conte’s 30-player shortlist for Italy’s Euro 2016 squad. Regarding their omission, Conte commented in a press conference: “When you make a certain choice and go to play in certain leagues, you do so taking it into account that they could pay the consequences from a footballing viewpoint”.[ In response to Conte’s comments, Pirlo stated to Sky Italia: “I have spoken to Conte and there is no disappointment on my part, he knows what he has to do and what he should not do. We had discussions during the season and both parties made their own decisions. He is the coach and it’s only right he makes his decisions and decides what is best for him. I hope Italy win although the favourites are other teams such as Germany, Spain and France.”
ITALY NATIONAL TEAM
Euro 2016 Qualifying Game
Italy vs Croatia
Match Worn Shirt & Socks
Buffon Gianluigi
Did you Know?
Buffon made his first appearance for Italy under new manager Antonio Conte on 9 September 2014, captaining his team in their opening European Championship qualifying match against Norway in Oslo. He kept a clean sheet as Italy won the match 2–0. On 12 June 2015, Buffon became the first player to appear in 50 UEFA competitive international matches in Italy’s 1–1 away draw against Croatia in a European qualifying match. Buffon saved an early Mario Mandžukić penalty, but was taken off at half time and replaced by Salvatore Sirigu due to an injury. He made his 150th appearance for Italy on 6 September 2015, keeping a clean sheet in a home 1–0 win over Bulgaria, his 62nd clean sheet at the international level. Italy qualified for Euro 2016 on 10 October in a 3–1 win over Azerbaijan. After the Euro qualification, Buffon stated that Euro 2016 would be the final European Championship of his career, but expressed his intentions to retire only after the 2018 World Cup, which would see him play up to the age of 40. On 31 May 2016, Buffon was named the captain of Conte’s 23-man Italy squad for Euro 2016.
Things to Know:
The 2016 UEFA European Championship, commonly referred to as UEFA Euro 2016 or simply Euro 2016, was the 15th UEFA European Championship, the quadrennial international men’s football championship of Europe organised by UEFA. It was held in France from 10 June to 10 July 2016. Spain were the two-time defending champions, having won the 2008 and 2012 tournaments, but were eliminated in the round of 16 by Italy. Portugal won the tournament for the first time, following a 1–0 victory after extra time over the host team, France, in the final played at the Stade de France. For the first time, the European Championship final tournament was contested by 24 teams, having been expanded from the 16-team format used since 1996. Under the new format, the finalists contested a group stage consisting of six groups of four teams, followed by a knockout phase including three rounds and the final. Nineteen teams – the top two from each of the nine qualifying groups and the best third-placed team – joined France in the final tournament, who qualified automatically as hosts; a series of two-legged play-off ties between the remaining third-placed teams in November 2015 decided the last four finalist spots. France was chosen as the host nation on 28 May 2010, after a bidding process in which they beat Italy and Turkey for the right to host the 2016 finals. The matches were played in ten stadiums in ten cities: Bordeaux, Lens, Lille Métropole, Décines-Charpieu, Marseille, Nice, Paris, Saint-Denis, Saint-Étienne, and Toulouse. It was the third time that France hosted the finals, after the inaugural tournament in 1960 and the 1984 finals.
Did you Know?
Éder, as a dual citizen of Italy and Brazil, was eligible to play for both nations. He qualified for the Italy national team through his Italian citizenship as well as more than 2-year of residence in Italy; he qualified to Italian citizenship through his Italian great-grandfather Battista Righetto, who came from Nove in Veneto. Éder began to be considered for the Italian national team by head coach Antonio Conte due to his good form in the 2014–15 season with Sampdoria. There was controversy surrounding Antonio Conte’s call-up for Éder and Franco Vázquez, respectively born in Brazil and Argentina. Speaking at a Serie A meeting on 23 March 2015, Inter manager Roberto Mancini stated, “The Italian national team should be Italian. An Italian player deserves to play for the national team while someone who wasn’t born in Italy, even if they have relatives, I don’t think they deserve to.” Conte’s response to the use of overseas-born players was: “If Mauro Camoranesi [who was born in Argentina] was allowed to help Italy win the 2006 World Cup, then why can’t Éder and Franco Vázquez lead the Azzurri to glory in next year’s European Championship?” On 28 March 2015, Éder made his debut for Italy, coming on as a 58th-minute substitute for Simone Zaza in a Euro 2016 qualifier against Bulgaria and scoring the equaliser in a 2–2 draw in the 84th minute. He made his first start three days later against England in a 1–1 draw in Turin, making way for fellow oriundo Vázquez after 61 minutes. On 10 October 2015, Éder opened the scoring in a 3–1 away win over Azerbaijan, which sealed Italy’s qualification for UEFA Euro 2016. On 31 May 2016, he was named to Conte’s 23-man Italy squad for Euro 2016. On 17 June, he scored the only goal against Sweden in the 88th minute during the second group game, which qualified Italy to the Round of 16; he was named Man of the Match by UEFA.
ITALY NATIONAL TEAM
Euro 2016
Players Bib
ITALY NATIONAL TEAM
Euro 2016
Team Training Ball
Did you Know?
This ball was used by Italy Team for all of the official Euro 2016 training sessions and pre-game warm up. While the official balls used for the games had match details printed on them, training and warm up balls had team’s name printed on them. In this case “ITA” printing marks Italy Team’s official balls.
ITALY NATIONAL TEAM
Fifa World Cup “RUSSIA 2018” Qualifying Game
Liechtenstein vs Italy
Match Worn Shirt
Verratti Marco
Did you Know?
Verratti made his “debut” with Italy Team while, still uncapped was included into Cesare Prandelli’s preliminary 32-man Italy squad for UEFA Euro 2012, being one of only two Serie B players (the other being Torino’s Angelo Ogbonna) to be part of it. He was subsequently cut from the squad on 28 May 2012. He then made his real debut with the Italian senior team in a 2–1 friendly loss against England held in Bern.He subsequently made his first competitive appearance in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification, appearing as a second-half substitute for Emanuele Giaccherini in a 2–2 draw against Bulgaria on 7 September. On 6 February 2013, Verratti scored his first international goal in a friendly against the Netherlands in Amsterdam, a 91st-minute equalizer that made the final score 1–1. He took part with the Italy U-21 side at the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, where the Azzurrini finished as runner-up to Spain. His performances saw him included in UEFA’s all-star squad for the tournament. On 1 June 2014, Verratti was selected in Italy’s 23-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup but he missed Euro 2016 after a long lasting injury from a sports hernia which would require surgery on 16 May, sidelining him for two months. Upon recovering from his injury, Verratti returned to the team under Italy’s new manager Gian Piero Ventura.
Things to Know:
To celebrate Buffon’s 20th anniversary as an Italy player, PUMA requested the help of ‘Kamp Seedorf’, a group of artists specialized in graffiti and football culture, to create murals of the 39-year-old in each country where he has played at a World Cup or will star at. The Italian icon unveiled the ultimate mural was made in Torino ahead of Italy’s crunch World Cup qualifier with Macedonia.
ITALY NATIONAL TEAM
Fifa World Cup “RUSSIA 2018” Qualifying Game
Italy vs Macedonia
Match Worn Shirt
Buffon Gianluigi
Did you Know?
This shirt worn by Buffon against Macedonia is an authentic piece of history. For the first time ever an Italy Team’s goalkeeper wore the usual home outfield shirt instead of the regular goalkeeper’s shirt. Italy faced Macedonia in the Fifa World Cup “RUSSIA 2018” qualifying game and in honour of Buffon, who has played for his country for 20 years and featured in five World Cups, the squad wore the away jersey so that the goalkeeper could don the famous blue jersey for the first time in his career.
ITALY NATIONAL TEAM
Fifa World Cup “RUSSIA 2018” Qualifying Game
Italy vs Sweden
Match Worn Shirt
EDER Citadin Martins
Did you Know?
This shirt was worn by Eder during the 2nd leg of the Fifa World Cup “RUSSIA 2018” playoff qualifying game against Italy which took place in Milan, Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on November 13th 2017. Eder was a reserve player during the game that ended 0-0 after Sweden won the first leg 1-0. This game became one of the worst pages of Italy team’s history. For the first time since 1958, Italy didn’t qualify to the FIFA World Cup. Sweden held on to force a goalless draw in the second leg at the San Siro to defeat the Italians 1-0 on aggregate in their Russia 2018 play-off. Despite creating the majority of the chances in the match and dominating in possession, Italy lacked the cutting edge they needed to find a goal, while Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen, captain Andreas Granqvist and team mates did enough to help their nation over the line and into their first World Cup since Germany 2006. The crowd at the San Siro of over 70,000 created an intense atmosphere which resulted in a frenetic and tense 90 minutes. Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Jakob Johansson, goalscorer in the first leg, all picked up early yellow cards, before the latter picked up a nasty-looking injury. Swedish goalkeeper Olsen also made some big saves; the anxiety levels went up to an entirely different level in the second half. As expected, Italy continued to dominate possession but Janne Andersson’s side were able to thwart any attacks Giampiero Ventura’s men attempted. The Azzurri found no solutions to get back into the tie, and will miss out on the world finals for the first time in 60 years. While this game represents one of the worst pages for Italy team’s history, it also represents a memorable page for the Sweden team that was able to qualify for the World Cup and to write an important page for the football’s tale.
ITALY NATIONAL TEAM
England vs Italy
March 27th 2018
Match Worn Shirt
Cristante Bryan
Did you Know?
The shirt that Italy team used in the game against England had two special details. On chest there is the “120 – 1898-2018 – Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio ” logo to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the Italian Football Federation. Underneath the Italy badge instead the team dedicated its tribute to Davide Astori, the Fiorentina captain, who suddenly passed away earlier in the month when he suffered a heart attack ahead of a game at Udinese. The 31 years old had made 14 appearances for the Italian national team as well. Astori was celebrated by the team in two games. The first one against Argentina on March 23rd and the second one against England, with a note on chest reading “Davide sempre con noi” above his No.13, which translates to “Davide always with us”.
Did you Know?
This shirt was worn by Gianluigi Buffon during the friendly game between Argentina and Italy which took place in Manchester, “Etihad Stadium”, on March 23rd 2018. On 17 March 2018, despite his initial decision to retire, Buffon was called up for Italy’s March 2018 friendlies against Argentina and England by caretaker manager Luigi Di Biagio. Against Argentina he started in goal for Italy for the 176th time and he surpassed Cannavaro to become the record appearance holder as Italy captain, with 80; Italy were defeated by Argentina 2–0. This was the last game that Gianluigi Buffon played as first goalkeeper for Italy National Team.
Did you Know?
This shirt was worn by Gianluigi Buffon during the friendly game between England and Italy which took place in London, “Wembley Stadium”, on March 27th 2018. Buffon was the second goalkeeper, behind Gianluigi Donnarumma, and this game represents his last game ever with Italy National Team. On 17 May 2018, Buffon announced in a press conference with Juventus that he would not return to the national team for its May and June friendlies.
“I am here for Astori. It’s the reason why I wanted to be here” [Gianluigi Buffon]
ITALY NATIONAL TEAM
Uefa Nations League
Italy vs Portugal
November 17th 2018
Match Worn Shirt
Chiesa Federico
Did you Know?
Chiesa was first called-up to the Italy U19 squad back in 2015. He along with fellow Fiorentina teammate Simone Minelli were selected as part of Paolo Vanoli’s preliminary 27-man squad for the 2016 UEFA Euro Under-19 Championship in Germany. Chiesa played for Italy U19s in friendlies against the Czech Republic, Spain and France. In 2016, he received a call-up from Italy U20s’ Alberigo Evani to represent the side at the 2015–16 Under-20 Four Nations Tournament. In March 2017, Chiesa was called up by Italy U21s’ boss Luigi Di Biagio to represent the Azzurrini in friendlies against Poland and Spain. He made his debut with the Italy U21 team on 23 March 2017, in a 1–2 victory against Poland. Chiesa provided the assist to Lorenzo Pellegrini’s opener. He retained his place in the starting line-up against Spain in a 1–2 defeat at the Stadio Olimpico. Despite only being called up to the under-21 side back in March 2017, Chiesa was selected by Italy’s senior head coach Gian Piero Ventura for the team’s unofficial friendly against San Marino in Empoli on 31 May. Chiesa made his unofficial senior international debut in the match, starting in Italy’s eventual 8–0 win. In June 2017, he was included in the Italy under-21 squad for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship by manager Di Biagio. In March 2018, he was awarded his first official senior call-up to the Italian national team, under interim manager Di Biagio, for Italy’s friendlies against Argentina and England later that month. On 23 March, he made his official senior international debut in the friendly against Argentina; Italy were defeated 2–0.
Things to Know:
Chiesa is the son of Enrico Chiesa, a former professional footballer who played for the likes of Cremonese, Sampdoria, Parma, Fiorentina, Lazio and Siena, and represented the Italian national team. He enrolled at the International School of Florence, where he frequently took lessons in learning English. Chiesa also spent two years at university, studying Sports Science.
ITALY NATIONAL TEAM
Uefa Nations League
Portugal vs Italy
September 10th 2018
Match Worn Shirt
Romagnoli Alessio
Did you Know?
This shirt was worn by Alessio Romagnoli during the Uefa Nations League game between Portugal and Italy which took place in Lisbon, “Estadio Da Luz”, on September 10th 2018. Romagnoli has represented Italy on multiple occasions at under-16, under-17 and under-19 levels. He made his first appearance for the Italy under-21 team against Northern Ireland on 5 March 2014, playing the full 90 minutes. With the Italy under-21, he took part at the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, forming an effective partnership with fellow centre-back Daniele Rugani. On 27 August 2016 Romagnoli was called up to the senior squad for the first time for a friendly against France on 1 September and a 2018 World Cup qualification match on 5 September against Israel. However, he was later moved to the under-21 squad for 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Serbia. Romagnoli made his senior debut on 6 October 2016, in a 2018 World Cup qualification match, playing all 90 minutes, in a 1–1 home draw against Spain. He scored his first senior international goal on 15 October 2019, in a 5–0 away win against Liechtenstein, in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying match.
ITALY NATIONAL TEAM
“Euro 2020” Qualifying
Italy vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Match Worn Shirt
Bernardeschi Federico
Did you Know?
This shirt was worn by Federico Bernardeschi during the “Euro 2020” qualifying game between Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina which took place in Turin, “Allianz Stadium”, on June 11th 2019. Italy won 2-0 over Bosnia. After three comfortable wins in the group, Italy won the fourth and remained at maximum points. This time, however, Mancini’s revamped side had to fight hard to remain immaculate and beat Bosnia and Herzegovina.
ITALY NATIONAL TEAM
“Euro 2020” Qualifying
Greece vs Italy
Match Worn Shirt
De Sciglio Mattia
Did you Know?
This shirt was worn by Mattia De Sciglio during the “Euro 2020” qualifying game between Greece and Italy which took place in Athens, “Olympic Stadium”, on June 8th 2019. Italy defeated Greece 3-0. De Sciglio was a substitute player and he replaced Emerson Palmieri to the minute 68. De Sciglio won eight caps for Italy under-19 between 2010 and 2011, including two appearances and one goal in the 2011 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship qualifying round. Subsequently, he represented Italy under-20, winning five caps between 2011 and 2012. On 25 April 2012, he made his debut for Italy under-21, coming on as a substitute midway through the second half of a friendly match against Scotland, which Italy won 4–1. For the under-21 side, he went on to make four further appearances, all in 2012. Less than four months after making his debut for the under-21 side, De Sciglio received his first call-up to the Italy senior team, as manager Cesare Prandelli named him to the squad for a friendly match against England to be played on 15 August 2012. However, he was left as an unused substitute in the 2–1 defeat. He went on to make his debut for the senior team on 21 March 2013, in a friendly match against Brazil that ended in a 2–2 draw. At the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup De Sciglio played in four games out of five, including the third-place match against Uruguay that Italy won on penalties following a 2–2 draw after extra time, even though De Sciglio had missed his spot kick in the eventual 3–2 win. After appearing in Italy’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, De Sciglio was chosen under Prandelli to take part at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He made his World Cup debut during the tournament, starting in Italy’s final group match against Uruguay, although Italy were eliminated in the first round following a 1–0 defeat. On 31 May 2016, De Sciglio was named to Antonio Conte’s 23-man Italy squad for UEFA Euro 2016. After having been benched for Italy’s first two games, he was highly praised for his performances in Italy’s final group match against Republic of Ireland (a 1–0 loss) and Italy’s round of 16 match against Spain (a 2–0 victory). On 3 July 2016, he started the quarterfinal match against Germany; following a 1–1 draw after extra-time, he successfully converted his penalty in the resulting shoot-out, but Italy were eventually eliminated from the tournament by a 6–5 defeat.
ITALY NATIONAL TEAM
Uefa “Nations League 2020”
Netherlands vs Italy
Match Issued Shirt
Bonucci Leonardo
Did you Know?
This shirt was issued for Leonardo Bonucci for the Uefa “Nations League” game between Netherlands and Italy which took place in Amsterdam, “Amsterdam Arena”, on September 7th 2020. Italy defeated Netherlands 1-0. On 12 October 2019, Bonucci made his 92nd international appearance, under manager Roberto Mancini, in a 2–0 home win over Greece, and overtook Alessandro Del Piero as the tenth-most capped player in the history of the Italian national team; the victory sealed Italy’s qualification for Euro 2020.[115] He made his 94th appearance for Italy on 15 November, in a 3–0 away win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, in a Euro 2020 qualifier, equalling Giacinto Facchetti as the ninth most-capped Italian player of all time. On 11 October 2020, Bonucci made his 98th international appearance in a 0–0 away draw against Poland in the UEFA Nations League, equalling Gianluca Zambrotta as the eight–most capped player of all–time for the Italian national team. On 25 March 2021, Bonucci made his 100th appearance for Italy in a 2–0 home win over Northern Ireland, in the team’s first 2022 World Cup qualifying match.
ITALY NATIONAL TEAM
Italy vs Greece
2019-2020
“Euro 2020” Qualifying Game
Match Worn Shirt
El Shaarawy Stephan
Did you Know?
This shirt was worn by Stephan El Shaarawy during the “Euro 2020” qualifying game between Italy and Greece which took place in Rome, “Stadio Olimpico”, on October 12th 2019. This is the first time that Italy team used this green Puma kit. This is the Italy 2019-2020 third kit, which is inspired by the Renaissance period and therefore also called ‘Renaissance jersey’. Italy Team is not going to use it at “Euro 2020” competition as UEFA does allow only two player kits usually (home + away). The green kit for the Italy National team that draws inspiration from the Renaissance period and celebrates the many young talents who are increasingly becoming protagonists of the Azzurri’s successes.The green color of the kit dates back to the “Maglia Verde” worn once by Italy during the 2-0 win against Argentina in December 1954 at the Olympic Stadium in Rome. The front of the shirt features a subtle graphic pattern inspired by the traditional mosaics of Italian fabrics and architecture of the Renaissance. Before the game against Greece there were a lot of complaints by Italian fans against Puma because following the tradition the Italy shirt for home games should be “azzurra” (sky blue) and they didn’t like this marketing strategy by Puma who released this new kit for an important home game like this against Greece.
