Juventus Football Club, commonly known as Juventus or “Juve,” is one of Italy’s most storied and successful football clubs. Founded on November 1, 1897, by a group of young Torinese students, the club has grown from its humble beginnings to become a dominant force in both Italian and European football.
Early Years (1897–1918)
The club was established as Sport-Club Juventus by pupils from the Massimo d’Azeglio Lyceum school in Turin. Initially, the team donned pink and black kits and played their matches at Piazza d’Armi. In 1900, Juventus made its debut in the Italian Football Championship. By 1903, the club adopted its iconic black and white striped jerseys, inspired by England’s Notts County. Juventus secured its first Italian championship title in 1905 while playing at the Velodrome Umberto I.
League Dominance (1923–1980)
In 1923, FIAT vice president Edoardo Agnelli took over the club’s presidency, ushering in a new era. Juventus clinched its second league championship in the 1925–26 season. The 1930s marked a period of unprecedented success, with the club winning five consecutive Italian championships. This era also saw Juventus players forming the core of the Italian national team that won the 1934 FIFA World Cup. Despite a post-war decline, the club experienced a resurgence in the 1950s, securing multiple league titles and achieving its first league and cup double in the 1959–60 season.
European Success and Challenges (1980–2010)
Under the management of Giovanni Trapattoni, Juventus continued its domestic dominance and secured its first major European title by winning the UEFA Cup in the 1976–77 season. The club reached the pinnacle of European football by winning the European Cup in the 1984–85 season. The 1990s brought further success, including another UEFA Champions League title in the 1995–96 season. However, the early 2000s were marred by the Calciopoli scandal, leading to relegation to Serie B for the 2006–07 season. Demonstrating resilience, Juventus secured promotion back to Serie A the following year.
Nine Consecutive Scudetti (2011–2020)
The 2011–12 season marked the beginning of an unprecedented era of success for Juventus. Under the management of Antonio Conte, the club went unbeaten throughout the season, clinching the Serie A title. This triumph was the first of nine consecutive league titles, a record in Italian football. During this period, Juventus also secured multiple Coppa Italia titles and made notable runs in European competitions, including reaching the UEFA Champions League final in the 2014–15 and 2016–17 seasons.
Recent Developments
In July 2018, Juventus made headlines by signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid for £99.2 million, a move dubbed the “deal of the century.” This acquisition was seen as a strategic effort to bolster the club’s European ambitions and global brand. The club continued its domestic success, securing its eighth consecutive Serie A title in the 2018–19 season. However, challenges emerged in subsequent seasons, including managerial changes and intensified competition both domestically and in Europe.
Throughout its history, Juventus has been synonymous with excellence, resilience, and a commitment to the beautiful game. The club’s rich legacy and unwavering pursuit of success continue to captivate football fans around the world.