{"product_id":"1996-97-italy-shirt","title":"Italy Home Shirt Nike 1996-97 Vintage - Size L","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.8em;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003eItaly Home Nike 1996-97 Jersey — The Nike Era, the Azzurri at their Peak\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:1.1em;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003e1996-97: this is the first generation of \u003cstrong\u003eItaly jerseys signed by Nike\u003c\/strong\u003e, a partnership that would transform the image of the \u003cstrong\u003eAzzurri\u003c\/strong\u003e for the next two decades. This \u003cstrong\u003evintage home jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e perfectly embodies this turning point — when one of the most legendary national teams in world football changed equipment suppliers and entered a new era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eJersey Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:2;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeason:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1996-97\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClub:\u003c\/strong\u003e Italy — Selezione Nazionale\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Home\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nike\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9\/10\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eState:\u003c\/strong\u003e SPONSOR: — authentic wear of a worn vintage jersey, exceptional overall condition for a model of this generation\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eWhat this jersey represents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eIn 1996, Nike secured one of the biggest contracts in football history by dressing the \u003cstrong\u003eNazionale italiana\u003c\/strong\u003e. For fans, it was a cultural shock — the Azzurri left Diadora after years of collaboration, and the American swoosh brand took over. This \u003cstrong\u003e1996-97 Nike home jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e is literally the first chapter of this new story. A transitional object, of immense symbolic value for any serious collector.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eOn the pitch, the \u003cstrong\u003e1996-97 Italy team\u003c\/strong\u003e was a generation under construction after the disappointment of Euro 1996 in England. Cesare Maldini took the reins of the national team, replacing Arrigo Sacchi. The squad remained of very high quality: \u003cstrong\u003ePaolo Maldini\u003c\/strong\u003e as defensive leader, \u003cstrong\u003eAlessandro Del Piero\u003c\/strong\u003e rising through the ranks, \u003cstrong\u003eGianfranco Zola\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eDemetrio Albertini\u003c\/strong\u003e in midfield, \u003cstrong\u003eFilippo Inzaghi\u003c\/strong\u003e starting to make his mark. The Squadra Azzurra was quietly preparing for qualification for the \u003cstrong\u003e1998 World Cup\u003c\/strong\u003e in France.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eMoments etched in this jersey\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEuro 1996: the still fresh wound\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nItaly had exited the English Euro in the first round, eliminated by the Czech Republic and Russia. This 1996-97 season was one of rebound, where the Italian national team had to regain its superb under this new Nike jersey and under the direction of Cesare Maldini.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQualification for France 98 — the ordeal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe qualification group would be tough, and Italy would eventually go through the play-offs. But in 1996-97, it was the beginning of this qualification cycle, with matches played in this same jersey against tough European opponents like Poland and England.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe beginning of a historic Nike-Azzurri partnership\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThis 1996-97 jersey marks the very beginning of a collaboration that would last decades and produce some of the most \u003cstrong\u003eiconic Italy jerseys in history\u003c\/strong\u003e. Collecting this model means holding in your hands the genesis of everything that followed — the victories, the 2006 World Cup, the great blue nights.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eAuthentic vs Replica\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eA \u003cstrong\u003evintage authentic jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e is not a fan jersey with a hastily embroidered logo. It is the model worn by players or sold in official channels at the time — close-fitting cut, technical fabrics of their era, meticulous finishes that attest to a manufacturing designed for performance and not for the mass market. The difference is felt in the hands, seen in the details of stitching and branding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eThis model in \u003cstrong\u003e9\/10 condition\u003c\/strong\u003e is what is called in the industry a \"near mint\": almost impeccable for its age, without the degradation that usually comes with a quarter century of existence. Finding a \u003cstrong\u003eNike Italy 1996-97 jersey in this condition\u003c\/strong\u003e is rare — very rare. Most copies circulating today bear the marks of time much more visibly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eVintage sizing guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVintage jerseys from the 90s\u003c\/strong\u003e follow very different sizing standards from current ones. Nike in 1996 had a tight fit, with adjusted cuts that today correspond to one size below what you usually wear. A \u003cstrong\u003evintage 90s Nike L\u003c\/strong\u003e often corresponds to a modern M, or even an S for larger builds. Never rely solely on the label — a vintage jersey should be measured before ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eOur advice: take a tape measure and measure your chest circumference flat, then compare with the actual measurements of this jersey. Ask us directly if needed — we are here to help you avoid an unpleasant surprise. A \u003cstrong\u003ecollector's jersey in vintage Nike size L\u003c\/strong\u003e can correspond to different modern body types and it is better to check before rather than after.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eWhy have it in your collection\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:14px;\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eItaly Nike 1996-97 jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e holds a special place in the history of football and vintage jerseys. It is the first model of an era, marking the Azzurri's transition to Nike — an event in itself for serious collectors. \"First year of partnership\" jerseys are always the most sought after, as they represent a unique moment of transition. With a \u003cstrong\u003eNazionale\u003c\/strong\u003e that included names like Maldini, Del Piero, and Albertini, the sporting aura matches the historical aura.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003eAnd then, there aren't many in this condition. A \u003cstrong\u003evintage Italy home 1996 jersey\u003c\/strong\u003e in 9\/10 condition is the kind of piece that doesn't stay available for long — collectors who know know exactly what it is and don't hesitate. If you're looking for a jersey that combines rarity, history, and exceptional preservation, you're in the right place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.4em;font-weight:bold;margin-top:28px;margin-bottom:12px;\"\u003eTo go further\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"line-height:2.2;margin-bottom:16px;\"\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Italy_national_football_team\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eItaly — Wikipedia\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.footballkitarchive.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eFootball Kit Archive — History of jerseys\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.uefa.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUEFA — European Football\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-style:italic;line-height:1.8;\"\u003eIf you are looking for a piece of Italian football history and the beginning of the Nike era, this item ticks all the boxes — it's up to you to decide if you let it pass.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Italie","offers":[{"title":"L","offer_id":53976967840019,"sku":"329843","price":159.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"M","offer_id":53976967872787,"sku":"338271","price":139.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0949\/4839\/3235\/files\/eng_pm_1996-97-ITALY-SHIRT-L-329843_1.jpg?v=1775240911","url":"https:\/\/supporterid.com\/en\/products\/1996-97-italy-shirt","provider":"SUPPORTER ID®","version":"1.0","type":"link"}