A brief look into Italy's football culture over the years

In Italy, football is more than just an interest – it's an obsession. From the citrus-lined streets of Naples to the iconic stadiums of Milan and Turin, calcio culture is deeply embedded within Italy's social fabric. With iconic rivalries, fiery personalities and cities molded by their team's fanatics, football is a sport that captivates the Italian people unlike anything else.

As you might expect, calcio culture has evolved massively over the years. From humble beginnings in coastal cities to reinventing how people across the world enjoy the beautiful game, understanding the story of football in Italy is essential for anybody claiming to love the sport.

The early years of Italian football

Football isn't native to Italy but was imported by British merchants in the latter part of the 19th century. In fact, many of Italy's oldest clubs, such as Genoa and AC Milan, were founded by foreigners, but after just a few years, Italians started to embrace the sport that they'd soon fall in love with.

After first thriving in coastal cities and major centers of commerce, football spread to many of the other large Italian cities, including Turin, Rome and Bologna. It didn't take long for Italians to become completely infatuated with football as it quickly became the national sport – one that has become forever associated with the Italian people.

After crowning Genoa as the winner of the country's first official football championship in 1898, the sport progressed massively as we entered the 20th century, evolving from a single-day competition to a season-long tournament. Football soon became more than just an interest but instead a way to represent a person's region and cultural identity.

The rise of Serie A in the 20th century

After just a few decades of development, the Italian Football League, known as Serie A, was on track to become one of the most prestigious in the world. While Spanish football has been known for having two dominant teams for much of its history, Italian football has gone through several eras with a variety of teams dominating at different times.

The most well-known Italian teams include:

● Juventus: Known as the 'Old Lady", Juventus are one of the most iconic teams in Italian football and have won more than 35 league titles.

● The Milan clubs: Unlike many fierce rivals, AC Milan and Inter Milan currently share a stadium, which adds a unique twist to their relationship.

● AS Roma and Lazio: These two clubs are known for their passionate fans who often clash during derby matches – expect plenty of drama!

● Napoli: Representing the unique culture of Italy's south, Napoli prides itself on doing things differently from the rest of the country.

When we think about what to expect from Juventus vs. Milan, as well as the other massive on-field rivalries in Serie A, there’s much more than just football at stake – it’s a matter of regional pride and supporting the club no matter what, even if they're going through a period of instability or lackluster form.

The relationship between Italian football and foreigners is one that can be traced back to its very beginnings, and has continued to play a part as the league has grown and evolved with the times. Unlike many other leagues, Italian fans appreciate this relationship as this has helped shape the calcio culture we see continuing to affect football up until today.

 

 

The impact of foreign superstars

While Italy has an impressive track record of producing some of the most talented footballers in the world, with many being at the biggest clubs in other countries, this relationship with foreigners has resulted in the domestic league attracting some of the best footballing superstars of all time.

Diego Maradona's arrival in Naples in 1979 saw the club rise from a mid-table club to one of the most dominant in Italy, while also helping to grow El Pibe de Oro's global reputation after an impactful but short-lived spell at Barcelona.

This is comparable to Cristiano Ronaldo's surprise move to Juventus in 2018. At the time of his arrival, Ronaldo was 33 years old and many thought that his time at the top of football was nearing its conclusion. With a huge transfer fee and wage package being paid by Juventus, nobody really expected him to score a colossal 101 goals in just 134 games.

These players, among many others, helped elevate Italian football’s global status, making Serie A one of the leading destinations for footballers in the 80s and 90s, and well into the 2000s.

Italy's ultras and the iconic atmosphere

Italian football is perhaps best known for its ultra culture, which has become synonymous with how many from abroad see Serie A. These hardcore supporters are incredibly loyal to their clubs and the regions where they're located – many are willing to shed blood, sweat and tears to defend their fellow supporters.

On match days, many Italian stadiums are filled with banners, flares and incredibly catchy and deafeningly loud chants. These all combine to create an atmosphere rivaling that found during games in South America. While this often goes hand in hand with political and social issues, we can't deny that this aspect of the footballing culture is what adds to the charm of Italian football.

The future of Italian football culture

While Serie A has struggled in recent years to compete with the financial muscle of the Premier League, the footballing culture has stayed strong. Much like how Juventus supporters stuck with the club during the Calciopoli scandal and the relegation that followed, Italian football fans across the country continue to support their clubs and are proud of the regions where they live, adding another layer of pride to their fanaticism.