Football on wheels From the derby in Turin to the historic bond between Wolfsburg and Volkswagen, football has often been intertwined with the world of automobiles
Football and cars are not only two sporting disciplines to be enjoyed on Sundays on the sofa or in their respective facilities, but over the years, they have had various points of contact, from sponsorships on club shirts to various players used as testimonials. A marriage that is convenient for both parties and that, in addition to football clubs, has also extended to the biggest and most important events on the planet: from the Champions League to the World Cup. These are very rich showcases for both the teams and the cars brands, which are able to move millions and millions of euros.
The presence of the car companies is continuous and profitable especially in Italy, Germany and France, not surprisingly the European nations with the largest factories, but it is not to be underestimated even in other nations and their championships. An alliance that has succeeded in creating a win-win relationship thanks also to the great passion of the fans, which does not stop at soccer alone, but also extends to the world of motors.
In Italy, for example, the football-automobile binomial has very deep roots, going as far as collaborations that have made history, from the singular case of the Fiat logo on Torino shirts in 1944 to the long and iconic sponsorship of Opel on AC Milan shirts.
Juventus and Torino, derby della Mole also on wheels
In Italy, the team we all associate with the world of four wheels is certainly Juventus, due to the obvious link between the Agnelli family and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Over the last twenty years, the Juventus team has almost always had sponsors linked to the family company on its chest: from New Holland Agriculture, a company operating in the agricultural machinery production sector and linked to Fiat, to the very recent Jeep, with the addition this year of the "4xE" linked to electric cars. And it is precisely with Jeep as a sponsor that we should remember one of the most particular Juventus jerseys of recent years, the 2019-2020 home jersey in which black and white were divided by a pink border.
Marc Ter Stegen, Barcelona's goalkeeper, is also a testimonial for an automotive brand from 2020. The German is in fact the new face of Cupra, Seat's sports brand. A precise and well-considered choice, with the intention of making himself known in key markets such as Germany, given that the extreme defender is the number of the national team, and Spain.
From the field to the seat of a car also for David Beckham, who has become Maserati's global ambassador. The "Spice Boy" is the protagonist of an amusing commercial for the Italian company in which he pirouettes on board the Levante Trofeo SUV, while his phone lists a very long list of work commitments.