Why is the Italian national soccer team jersey blue?
There has always been a question about the Italian national soccer team. Why is the Italian national soccer team jersey blue? Why was this color chosen? Would you be surprised to learn that this is a question that foreigners frequently ask about Italians?
Why is the Italian national soccer team jersey blue?
The blue of the jerseys of the Italian national soccer team derives from the coat of arms of the house of Savoy. In heraldry, the cloth glued diagonally on the coat of arms receives the name fascia. And the Savoy sash is, in fact, blue. Thus, in homage to the royal family, on January 6, 1911, the Italian national team played its first match against Hungary in the blue jersey. Have you heard the nickname Azzurri? It means blue, and it is how the Italian national team is known worldwide.
But, not everyone knows that the Italian national soccer team also had a short run with an all-black jersey, commissioned in the 1930s by Benito Mussolini. Italy wore the black jersey during the friendly match against France on February 17, 1935. And the following year, at the XI Olympic Games in Berlin, Italy wore black again. Finally, the last time the jersey appeared on the pitch was in the first two matches of the 1938 World Cup. Do you imagine the Azzurri nicknamed “Men in black” instead?
Another amusing fact
Emporio Armani designed the new official suit for the Italian national team. And the field uniform, blue and white, is created by Puma.
The suite consists of a jacket with a Korean-style collar in crinkle-effect cotton and soft black pants. The relaxed elegance of the suit is pleasant. The interesting point is that designer Giorgio Armani explains it is a tribute to Enzo Bearzot. Bearzot is the legendary coach who led the Azzurri to victory during the 1982 World Cup. “I am proud to dress our national team – says designer Giorgio Armani in a note – I worked on an idea of spontaneous and sporty elegance. I imagined a light dress, but full of dignity.”
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