Fiorentina president Giuseppe Commisso has announced plans to retire the number 10 jersey worn by club legend Giancarlo Antognoni for the duration of the 2026/27 season. The gesture is part of the club’s broader preparations to celebrate 100 years of history, with the Viola having been founded in 1927. The symbolic retirement will be highlighted during a special event on August 29, though the club clarified that the number will return to the squad for the 2027/28 campaign.
This initiative serves as a direct attempt to reconcile the current ownership with Antognoni, following a period of tension that has left the former midfielder estranged from the club. Antognoni had previously indicated he did not intend to participate in the centenary festivities due to ongoing friction with former president Rocco Commisso and former director Joe Barone. Whether this tribute will successfully bridge the gap between the legend and the current leadership remains uncertain.
Reflecting on the decision, Giuseppe Commisso released a statement emphasizing Antognoni’s profound impact on the club. He described the 72-year-old as the embodiment of the Viola jersey, praising his talent, elegance, and unwavering loyalty. Antognoni, a World Cup winner, played for Fiorentina from 1972 to 1987 before finishing his professional career at Lausanne in Switzerland in 1989. The club statement noted that Antognoni gave something to the team that cannot be measured merely by statistics, and expressed a strong desire for his presence at the upcoming centennial celebrations to honor his unique place in the history of the club.
