FIGC AND PUMA LAUNCH ITALIAN 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP™ KITS

Milan, Italy (3 March, 2014) – PUMA today launched the new official home and away playing kits for the Italian National Team; the Home kit will be worn by Gli Azzurri for the first time in their friendly match against Spain this week. The new kits were presented by Volfango Bondi, General Manager of PUMA Europe and the FIGC (Italian Football Federation) Vice President Demetrio Albertini, alongside the Italian National Team manager Cesare Prandelli, the Italian captain Gianluigi Buffon and his teammates Giorgio Chiellini and Marco Verratti.

The “Celebri-Amo La Maglia (Celebrate the Shirt) Tour” was also launched today by PUMA and the FIGC in Milan. The 23 home shirts which will ultimately be taken by Gli Azzurri to the World Cup, will tour major cities in Italy including Milan, Naples and Rome, giving fans the opportunity to the show their support for the National Team.  

Fans who visit the tour will also be given the opportunity to enter a contest to present the shirts to the players before they leave for Brazil, with 23 lucky winners being selected. Fans around the world can also show their support for the Gli Azzurri through the online platform www.pumafootballclub.com.

The design of the shirts is inspired by the heritage of the traditional Italian handcraft industry. A slim fit and a tailored collar and placket are beautifully combined with intricate design details.  The tailored looking crest and exclusive FIGC font are inspired by traditional Italian craftsmanship.

Performance and design combine in the new Italy kits with the integration of PUMA’s new football apparel innovation PWR ACTV. The shirts feature the new PUMA PWR ACTV technology, a new first-to-market use of both athletic taping and compression within the apparel. The home and away shirts feature ACTV tape that is strategically placed within the garment to provide micro-massages on the skin, working with the human body to help maximise performance and provide players with a faster, more effective energy supply to the active muscles.

Gianluigi Buffon, the Italian National Football Team Captain said, “I’m impressed with the new Italy shirts, the design is strong and has a true Italian feel.  The new PUMA PWR ACTV tape technology is going to ensure that we are physically equipped to perform at our best. It’s a really nice touch that the shirts will go on tour around Italy for the nation to show their support for us. When the tour concludes, we will have a great symbol of support as we leave for Brazil and prepare to make Italy proud.”

Mario Balotelli, Italian National Team star striker said, “Our National team has a great challenge ahead of us and we are preparing to represent our country and make our fellow Italians around the world proud. Touring the shirts that we will take to Brazil is a great idea and knowing they represent the support, belief and passion of our fans is inspiring.  Italian supporters motivate us to perform to our best and I hope many Italians will visit the PUMA Celebri-Amo La Maglia Tour and pledge their support.”

Volfango Bondi, General Manager of PUMA Europe said, “We have worked together with the FIGC to develop a new kit for Italy to wear at the World Cup that meets the team’s needs both in terms of design and performance. The new PUMA PWR ACTV technology that has been integrated into the shirt is our latest performance innovation and will enhance the player’s natural power and help them optimise their performance on the pitch in Brazil. This technology is something we’ve been aspiring to bring to our national teams for some time now, and we can see the clear benefits it brings.  The Italian National team will travel to the World Cup with our pride and support, and we fully believe they can achieve great things.” 

In addition to the replica shirts, PUMA has introduced a special edition FIGC Italia Home shirt featuring the new PUMA PWR ACTV technology. The shirt is packaged in a specially designed tablet case. A full range of replica products including home and away shirts, shorts and a full merchandise collection will be available to purchase from the 5 March.

The PUMA Celebri-Amo La Maglia truck will tour Italy from 8th March starting in Naples, giving fans the chance to celebrate the shirts that the team will take to Brazil loaded with the support of their fans. There is also an online platform on www.pumafootballlclub.com, where fans around the world can get involved with the Celebri-Amo La Maglia tour. For full information on the PUMA Celebri-Amo La Maglia tour, visit www.pumafootballclub.com.

The FIGC is committed to supporting causes that combat discrimination around the world, the “Celebri-Amo La Maglia” Tour will also raise awareness of such issues.  Signed shirts from the tour will also be donated to the Celebrity Stars fundraising initiative.

Media can download the press kit from the PUMA Press Centre at http://news.puma.com/.

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