Italian football in world fame: past and future

When talking about great football powers, Italy is always in the top three. Four stars on the chest of the national team (World Cups 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006). Clubs that have won everything: «Milan», «Inter», «Juventus», «Parma», «Napoli». Italian football is not just a sport, it is a way of life, it is "catenaccio", it is legendary defenders (Maldini, Barези, Cannavaro). But in recent years, Serie A has lost the lead to England and Spain. What happened? And is there a future for Italian football? Let's figure it out.

Golden era: 1930s – 1990s

Italy won its first World Cup in 1934 at home, under Mussolini, who used football as propaganda. In 1938, it repeated the success in France. After the war, there was a period of stagnation, but in the 1960s, «Inter» under Helenio Herrera with his "catenaccio" won the Cup Winners' Cup twice. The 1980s were the era of «Milan» under Arrigo Sacchi: pressing, zonal defense, the Dutch trio (Gullit, van Basten, Rijkaard). «Milan» won two Cup Winners' Cups in a row (1989, 1990). And in 1982, the Italian national team, led by Paolo Rossi, surprisingly won the World Cup in Spain. The 1990s: «Juventus» under Marcello Lippi dominates in Europe (winning the UEFA Champions League in 1996). Italian clubs regularly reached the finals. Serie A was the strongest league in the world, where Maradona, Platini, Zidane, Ronaldo, Baggio, Maldini played.

Tragedy and triumph: 2006

«Calciopoli» (2006) — a corruption scandal that shook Italian football. «Juventus» was stripped of two scudetti and sent to Serie B, «Milan», «Lazio», «Fiorentina» were fined. It seemed that Italian football would die. But the national team, against all odds, won the World Cup in Germany. The final against France (1:1, penalties 5:3) — the match of Zidane and Materazzi. This victory became a symbol of rebirth. “We showed that Italian football is not just money, but also heart.”

Decline: 2010s – financial crisis

After 2006, Italian clubs began to lose ground. The country's economy was faltering, stadiums were outdated, television contracts lagged behind the Premier League. «Juventus» dominated domestically (9 scudetti in a row), but lost to European giants. «Milan» and «Inter» went through ownership changes and decline. Serie A lost stars: Zlatan, Thiago Silva, Cannavaro left. The league fell to fourth place in the UEFA ranking. The national team did not qualify for the World Cup-2018 (for the first time since 1958). This was a shock. It seemed that the great football power had faded into oblivion.

Revival: 2020s – new hope

A turning point came with the Italian national team's victory at Euro-2020 (2021). Under Roberto Mancini, the "azzurri" played attacking, beautiful football, won the final against England. In 2022, «Milan» won the scudetto, «Inter» and «Napoli» (champion in 2023) showed bright play. In 2026, «Inter» won the UEFA Champions League? (no, they lost in the 2023 final to «Manchester City»). But «Napoli» under Spalletti became champion with a record lead. In Europe, Italian clubs have become competitive again: finals of European cups with the participation of «Roma», «Fiorentina», «Atalanta». Reasons: construction of new stadiums (Juventus, Atalanta), influx of American investments, smart transfer policy.

Key figures of the present

Stars of Serie A 2026: Victor Osimhen («Napoli»), Hakim Ziyech (moved to «Juventus»), Rafael Leão («Milan»), Lautaro Martínez («Inter»). Young talents: Pietro Pellegri («Torino»), Wilfried Ndombele, no longer. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (national team, «PSG», but he is Italian). Coaches: Luciano Spalletti (national team after Mancini), Simone Inzaghi («Inter»), Stefano Pioli («Milan»). The national team is preparing for the World Cup-2026 (which is taking place in the USA, Canada, Mexico). In the qualifiers, the Italians confidently moved forward, but again did not qualify for the World Cup-2026.

Problems and challenges

Old stadiums (San Siro, Olimpico) require reconstruction. Racism in the stands (a problem with «Lazio», «Verona»). Bureaucracy and delays in the construction of new arenas. Outflow of talents to the Premier League (Moises Kean, Sandro Tonali, etc.). Outdated system of youth training (only in recent years have academies improved). Competition with Saudi Arabia, which buys up veterans.

Future: what to expect by 2030

Italy is bidding to host Euro-2032 (together with Turkey). This may give a boost to stadium construction. By 2030, Serie A may return to the top three if commercial and television revenue continue to grow. Young players from the academies of «Atalanta», «Sassuolo», «Empoli» will form the backbone of the national team. Italy is capable of winning World Cups. The main thing is not to lose identity: defensive school, tactical flexibility, passion.

Italian football has experienced ups and downs. It was dead, but it rose again. In 2026, Serie A is one of the most interesting leagues in Europe. Stars are returning, attendance is growing. The future depends on whether Italy can adapt to new realities – digitalization, data analysis, modern management. If so, the «Squadra Azzurra» will again scare opponents. For now – forza Italia!

Permanent link to this publication: