11 Interesting Facts About Juventus That'll Surprise You
- Think Football Ideas
- Jul 23
- 5 min read
Full Name: Juventus Football Club S.p.A.
Nickname(s): La Vecchia Signora (The Old Lady)
La Fidanzata d'Italia (Italy's Sweetheart)
I Bianconeri (The White and Blacks)
Le Zebre (The Zebras), La Gheuba (The Hunchback)
Founded: 1 November 1897, as Sport-Club Juventus
Ground: Juventus Stadium
Capacity: 41,507
Few football fans know the history of Juventus or facts that would make them see the Bianconeri in a whole new light. The Black and Whites are not a club formed under mere circumstances, nor do they owe their success to sheer luck or happenstance.
Juventus is, and always has been, a reflection of Turin’s industrious spirit, a club built on bold decisions, sharp vision, and an uncompromising desire to win.
Here Are 11 Interesting Facts About Juventus That'll Surprise You
1. Juventus Was Founded In 1897 By A Group Of Turinese Students
In the autumn of 1897, a group of teenagers from the Massimo d'Azeglio Lyceum school in Turin sat on a bench along Corso Re Umberto and founded a sports club, and that’s how Juventus came to life.
The name, drawn from the Latin iuventūs meaning “youth,” reflected their age and spirit. Initially named Sport-Club Juventus and focused on athletics, the club rebranded to Foot-Ball Club Juventus in 1899. As Italy’s second-oldest still-active football club, Juve’s origin story reads more like folklore than football history.
2. First Championship Match Played On 11 March 1900, Losing 1–0 To Torinese
On March 11, 1900, Juventus played its first official championship match, a local derby against Torinese, and lost 1–0. It wasn’t the dream start many might imagine, but it marked the beginning of a journey that would eventually reshape Italian football.
That early stumble was less a defeat and more a launchpad. From that modest opening, Juventus began the climb that would lead to domestic dominance and international prestige.
3. Juventus Originally Wore Pink And Black Kits With A Black Tie
Believe it or not, the legendary black and white stripes weren’t Juventus’s first look. In their earliest days, the team wore pink shirts with black ties, a sharp but impractical outfit, as the pink faded badly with each wash.
Looking for something bolder, the club turned to Englishman John Savage, who arranged for a shipment of Notts County kits in 1901. The result? A striking black-and-white identity that conveyed power and ambition, one that would come to symbolize Italian football excellence.
4. First Italian Professional Football Club With A Decentralised Fan Base In The 1930s
While most Italian clubs drew support primarily from their cities, Juventus did something different in the 1930s, they became a truly national club. Thanks to the Agnelli family and the rise of Fiat, waves of workers moved to Turin from all over the country, bringing their football passion with them.
By the mid-1930s, Juve had fans stretching from Sicily to the Alps, creating a unique dynamic: a club from Turin, loved across Italy. That national presence still defines Juventus’s support base today.
5. In 1985 Juve Became The First Club To Win All Three Major UEFA Competitions
By 1985, Juventus had accomplished a feat no other club had managed, they won all three major UEFA trophies: the UEFA Cup (1977), the Cup Winners’ Cup (1984), and the European Cup (1985).
Later that year, they added the Intercontinental Cup to their collection, making them the first club to conquer every major confederation title. Under Giovanni Trapattoni’s leadership, Juventus weren’t simply collecting silverware, they were setting new standards for European dominance.
6. The Charging Bull on Juve's Badge Symbolises the Comune of Turin
Take a close look at the Juventus badge and you’ll notice a charging bull, the toro, a powerful symbol of Turin itself. The bull represents the strength and pride of the city and appears on the official coat of arms of the Comune di Torino.
While the club’s crest has evolved through the decades, this emblem has remained a core feature, linking the team to its industrial roots and unshakable identity. It's a subtle yet powerful reminder of where Juventus comes from.
7. Juventus's Most Famous Nickname Is "La Vecchia Signora" (The Old Lady)
"La Vecchia Signora" - the Old Lady - may sound like a gentle nickname, but it carries deep meaning. Some say it honors Juventus’s long-standing status as one of Italy’s most historic clubs.
Others view it as ironic: a club named for youth (juventus), yet revered as a matriarch of Italian football. Either way, the nickname has stuck and now symbolises wisdom, prestige, and enduring excellence. It's not just a name, it's a persona that commands respect.
8. Juventus Initially Played at Parco del Valentino and Parco Cittadella (1897–1898)
Before the grandeur of modern stadiums, Juventus kicked off their journey in Turin’s open parks, specifically, Parco del Valentino and Parco Cittadella. Between 1897 and 1898, these modest public spaces served as their first playing fields.
There were no grandstands or roaring crowds, only bare grass and big dreams. From these humble beginnings, Juventus began crafting a legacy that would eventually echo across Europe.
9. Juventus Is the Most Supported Football Club in Italy
Juventus enjoys unparalleled support in Italy, with a fanbase that stretches far beyond Turin. From the northern provinces to the southern coasts, the Bianconeri command loyalty across every region.
This isn’t a club with localised backing, it’s a national phenomenon. Juve’s ability to bridge regional divides and unify diverse supporters under one banner has made them not only the most supported club in Italy but arguably its most influential.
10. Juventus Have Won 36 Official League Titles
With 36 official Serie A titles, Juventus stands as Italy’s most decorated club. Their success spans eras, from dominating the 1930s to their astonishing nine-title streak between 2012 and 2020.
This consistency speaks to more than talent; it’s the result of vision, structure, and an unwavering culture of winning. Whether rebuilding or reigning, Juventus always sets the bar high, and keeps raising it.
11. Juve Have Had Six Players Winning Eight Ballon d'Or Awards
Few clubs boast a Ballon d’Or legacy like Juventus. It began with Paolo Rossi in 1982, followed by Michel Platini’s historic three-peat from 1983 to 1985.
The magic continued with Roberto Baggio, Zinedine Zidane, and Pavel Nedvěd, with each player bringing global recognition to the black and white.
These eight Ballon d'Or wins, shared by six legendary players, highlight Juventus’s role as a home for football’s elite and a proving ground for greatness.
Comments