A new chapter of history is to be written together. The FIGC and adidas partnership was unveiled this morning at the adidas store in Via del Corso in Rome: a partnership that in the coming years will see the German company manufacture kits for the Azzurri. The first side to wear the new 'Home' jersey (already available together with the 'Away' kit on the FIGC Store, on the adidas website and app, in adidas stores and at some authorised retailers) will be the National Under 18 team, who will face Spain in a friendly match in the afternoon at Coverciano. It will be a historic first, as never before has a youth national team had the honour of being the first side to do so.

"Today marks the beginning of a new era for Italian football," explained FIGC president Gabriele Gravina, "We are particularly proud to experience this together with adidas, which has been able to interpret the tradition represented by the Azzurri shirt in a modern way. It is a shirt that is always full of passion, that is inspired by so many emotions, and that defines every step of the history of Italian football. Football and its history are experienced through the kits worn by the players: the shirt makes an era, and is a moment that gathers the passion of millions of Italians. This jersey is inspired by a concept of beauty that we have been pursuing for so many years: an Italian style that encompasses an extraordinary colour, blue, which provokes strong emotions. This is an important moment, because adidas has managed to put together a flicker of modernity but which respects our history, our tradition, with the presence of references to marble, which has given and gives so many artists the opportunity to showcase their creativity. And then an identity element, the tricolour, which brings together the emotions of all Italians. I must thank adidas, which has been particularly sensitive in working along this path while respecting the identity of Italian history: we hope that this new era will be accompanied by great results, not only in sporting terms, but for the whole of Italian football.

Adidas is adding Italy to an already very impressive portfolio, which includes the new World Champions Argentina, and other top European national teams such as Germany, Spain and Belgium. It has dedicated a new collection inspired by marble, a natural, geographical and cultural element that represents lots monuments and cultural places in our country: "For us at adidas it is an honour to be a partner of the FIGC and the Italian national team, which has the most beautiful jersey" - Bjørn Gulden highlighted, Chief Executive Officer of adidas. "Italy is one of the few teams that has fans all over the world and that is why we want to take our product all over the planet. The FIGC is one of the best football federations, and we look forward to this long-term partnership, hoping to celebrate again like you did at Wembley in 2021”.

In March, when they return to the pitch against England and Malta in the first two matches of the qualifiers for the European Championship in Germany 2024, Roberto Mancini's national team will also wear the new jersey, where the new national team badge, which was made official a few days ago, is also on display. "I congratulate adidas for the jersey", said the coach. "We will wear it in March against England and it will not be an exciting debut. Our goal is to do well right away and then prepare for the Nations League finals in June. Our preferences in the draw? Croatia, Spain and the Netherlands are three strong opponents: they are as good as each other, the important thing for us is to win the title".

In February, however, it will be the turn of the women's national team, which will approach the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand by taking part in the Arnold Clark Cup in England. That will be the occasion for the debut of the adidas jersey for Milena Bertolini's girls. "These shirts make a wonderful impression on me," admitted the coach. "Adidas has a special charm, because it is a brand that reminds me of my childhood. Therefore, being able to go and play at the World Cup with this jersey will be wonderful. For us and for the whole movement it is an important year. The national team is the engine and the driving force of the whole movement: we managed to return to the World Cup and it was not easy because the level is rising so much. We know that the round with Sweden, Argentina and South Africa is challenging, but when we are there we will try to give our best to do well. In February, on the other hand, we will play against very strong teams (Belgium, England and South Korea): my philosophy is to play against the strongest teams to improve."

 

THE SEARCH. The collaboration between FIGC and adidas was launched through a campaign promoted on the main social and digital platforms worldwide, featuring Alessandro Del Piero, Gigio Donnarumma, Martina Rosucci and the singer Blanco. 'The Search' is the story of a boy's efforts in a magical forest, in search of the Azzurro jersey, one of the symbols of Italian national identity.