Photo : Collected
Italy's squad numbers at Euro 2024 range from 1 to 26, because there is another number outside of that range that has been banned by the country's football governing body. In June 2023, the decision was made for the number 88 to be banned for the national side
The Italian side will head into Germany as one of the favourites to win after claiming the 2020 trophy with a victory over English at Wembley.
Italy's players will be numbered from 1 to 26 as per UEFA kits regulation but their players are prevented from wearing another specific shirt number after an agreement was signed between the Italian Football Association and the government last year.
At the same time, Italy's top division Serie A agreed to ban the number of all teams playing in the league.
The decision was made as part of a measure to clamp down on antisemitism in Italy, with the number 88 being seen as a reference to a Nazi slogan.
The controversial shirt number has surrounded Italian football for decades after legendary Italian goalkeeper Buffon wore it while playing for Parma in 2000.
Speaking in a press conference to address the controversy at the time, the football icon said: “I have chosen 88 because it reminds me of four balls and in Italy, we all know what it means to have balls: strength and determination.
Despite causing drama with his football shirts, Buffon stayed at Parma until 2001 before joining Italian giants Juventus, where he won 10 Serie A titles among various other major accolades.
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