Juventus Club Vero Amore, the first official Juventus supporters club in Malta, is celebrating its remarkable 50th anniversary this week with a special programme that will culminate in the visit of four iconic former Juventus players — Moreno Torricelli, Angelo Di Livio, Alessandro Birindelli, and Nicola Legrottaglie.
The club, which is the second-oldest official Juventus supporters club in the world, is marking this golden milestone with a series of events for its almost 600 members. Club president Joseph Fenech expressed both excitement and pride at the celebrations, despite the many logistical challenges involved.
“An amazing milestone, the second-oldest club in the world officially recognised by Juventus FC. It’s a programme packed with emotions,” said Fenech.
“We have dinner planned for Friday night, while Saturday will be the culmination of the celebrations with an event at our club at 5PM where our members will have the opportunity to meet the players. During the evening, our club sponsors will also be awarded.”
Despite receiving an invitation from the Juventus president, Gianluca Ferrero, for an event in Calabria, Fenech admitted that the club declined the offer, preferring a more personal connection. “We would have preferred that the president himself, the sporting director, or even a player visit our club instead. That’s what would truly honour our members,” he noted.
Among the special guests, Moreno Torricelli, known for his humble origins as a carpenter before joining Juventus in 1992, made 153 Serie A appearances for the Bianconeri, scoring once. A tireless right-back, Torricelli won three Serie A titles, a Coppa Italia, and lifted the 1996 Champions League trophy.
Angelo Di Livio, nicknamed “Soldatino” for his tireless engine on the right flank, played 186 Serie A games for Juventus, scoring three goals. He won three Serie A titles, the 1996 Champions League, and represented Italy 40 times.
Alessandro Birindelli, a versatile full-back who could play on both sides, spent 11 seasons at Juventus, amassing 196 Serie A appearances and scoring once. His honours include three Serie A titles and an Intertoto Cup. He was also one of the few who stayed with the club during its Serie B campaign in 2006/07.
Completing the lineup is Nicola Legrottaglie, a strong and experienced centre-back. He played 86 Serie A matches for Juventus, scoring five goals, and helped the team return to Serie A after Calciopoli. Legrottaglie also earned 16 Italy caps.
Fenech stressed the importance of members renewing their subscriptions for the 2025/2026 season. “Membership is a priority because these events are for them,” he said. He also confirmed good relations with the other supporters’ club, Juventus Malta Club Cuore Bianconero. “The door is always open. I don’t believe we should have two clubs.”
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