Giancarlo Antognoni rejects Fiorentina's centenary jersey retirement and declines invitation

Former Fiorentina captain Giancarlo Antognoni has said he will not attend the club's 100‑year anniversary celebrations scheduled for 29 August. He also rejected the club’s plan, announced by president Giuseppe (Rocco) Commisso, to retire the iconic number 10 shirt for the 2026/27 season. Antognoni described the announcement as a mockery, stating “Il ritiro della maglia? Pensano che sia bischero? Mi hanno fatto imbestialire.”

His son, Alessandro Antognoni, posted an open letter on Facebook defending his father and criticizing the club, writing “Non è una marionetta” and urging the president to respect his father's values. The former captain said he would have preferred a private phone call rather than a public letter. Fiorentina maintains that the jersey retirement is a symbolic gesture to honor Antognoni’s legacy, but the dispute remains unresolved as the centenary approaches.