For over a century, it has united Italy fans the world over, and has become a symbol of a nation that has learnt to love it and be touched by it. We are, obviously, talking about the blue jersey of Italy, as today marks its 112-year anniversary, and showing no signs of age.

Chosen due it being the colour of the House of Savoy - the reigning monarchy in Italy at the time - the blue jersey made its first appearance on 6 January 1911, when Italy beat Hungary 1-0 in front of 5,000 spectators at the Arena Civica in Milan. Eight months prior, on 15 May 1910, the day of their first-ever match, the National team beat France 6-2 wearing a white shirt with cuffs and a starched collar with the striped Italian flag colours on it. The same shirt was used in the second game of its history, once again against Hungary but this time in Budapest on 26 May 1910.

From 6 January 1911 onward, the famous blue colour would become not only a colour to identify the country's football team, a national symbol throughout the World, but also the colour adopted by every individual and team sport in Italy, being worn from the Olympic Games to European and World events in every sporting event. "The blue jersey is a great symbol of Italian identity," said FIGC President Gabriele Gravina. Today, we celebrate its 112-year anniversary, but it's showing no signs of age because its heart still beats strongly and it expresses values and passion that have been passed through the generations. In over a century, it has contributed in uniting a country, emotionally moving every Italian citizen."

The blue colour has been worn in all of our major footballing triumphs, from four World Cups (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006) to the Olympic gold medal in 1936, as well as two European Championship victories (1968 and 2020). Over 800 players have had the privilege of putting on the shirt in its various forms, first with the Savoy badge and then with the Italian flag colours. 

It's an anniversary that will see further changes involving the blue jersey coming up over the following year: a new badge on all Italian National Football team shirts was officially presented in the last few days, together with a new sound identity. It's a musical system that goes from a sound logo, a short effect to accompany the badge, to all the different variations that are reproduced in every touchpoint. Images and sound complete the FIGC's rebranding process that started in 2021 with the new institutional logo and upgrading of logos for the different federal areas, strengthening the Azzurri team identity. In the following days, the new jersey, under new sponsor Adidas, will be unveiled.