As Lorenzo Pellegrini has been confirmed as Italy’s no.10 for the upcoming European Championships in Germany, here’s a look back at the other 10 players who have donned the iconic number for the Azzurri at the EUROs.
EURO 2024 will be Italy’s 11th appearance in the competition. The first entry came back in 1968, but the Nazionale would have to wait another 12 years for their next outing. The Azzurri have, however, been present at every tournament consecutively since 1996.
Some iconic players have donned the sought-after No.10 jersey over the years, including the likes of Giacinto Facchetti in the late 1960s, Giancarlo Antognoni in the 1980s, plus Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti during the 2000s.
Lorenzo Insigne was the last player to be given the honour back in 2021, when the postponed EURO 2020 tournament was carried out.
No player has ever worn the Italy no.10 at more than one European Championship.
Previous Italy No.10s
1968 – Giacinto Facchetti
1980 – Giancarlo Antognoni
1988 – Luigi De Agostini
1996 – Demetrio Albertini
2000 – Alessandro Del Piero
2004 – Francesco Totti
2008 – Daniele De Rossi
2012 – Antonio Cassano
2016 – Thiago Motta
2021 – Lorenzo Insigne
2024 – Lorenzo Pellegrini
Beside 68 insigne wore the #10 and was the biggest contributor to the championship under the #10.
Motta wearing 10 is a bit like giving the number 9 shirt to the keeper 😂