The exhibition of the first Italian team sponsored by Nike

There are stories that change the course of events, but that stay out of the spotlight. The history of Brescello Calcio is not found in the almanacs or in the football news books, but the Emilian team has changed the world of sportswear more than you can imagine. The exhibition organized last weekend in the small town (5000 inhabitants) in the province of Reggio Emilia retraced the main events in the history of the club and sporting achievements such as the 1-1 draw in the Italian Cup against Juventus of Lippi, Zidane, Del Piero and Inzaghi - who played against his brother Simone - but above all he brought to light incredible memorabilia.

 

 

In 1997, Brescello Calcio was chosen by Nike as the first team to have the Swoosh on the shirt mainly due to its proximity to the headquarters of the Italian division of the time. The team that played in C1 in those years tested the prototypes that came out of the Italian factory in Montebelluna (TV) and all the shoes that would be launched at the World Cup the following summer, won by Zidane's France against Ronaldo's Brazil. The former Inter Milan and AC Milan Fenomeno is a central element in history, because among the prototypes tested on the Brescello grass there were also the first Mercurial Vapor R9 that Ronaldo will wear at the World Cup. It will be Corrado Oldoni (midfielder) who will try the model that is still considered unique today for many reasons. For one season "Il codino della basso", as Oldani was called due to its resemblance to Baggio, he tested the new Nike, also writing a report with the strengths and weaknesses of the new shoe at the end of each game.

 

Those shoes worn by Oldoni are one of the memorabilia that were shown at the Brescello Calcio exhibition, complete with embroidered initials, year of birth and the flag of Brazil. Stories within stories, events that from the bottom have revolutionized what is today the first sports brand in the world in terms of sales volumes. A story of other times that tells a turning point in design and technology applied to sport, as well as the beginning of that approach that sees the athlete at the center of the production process, and not just as the ultimate recipient.