Juventus, founded in 1897, is one of the most successful clubs in Italy and Europe, known as the ‘Vecchia Signora’. It has won thirty-six Serie A titles, two Champions League titles in the 1985 and 1996 and contested seven more finals. It dominated Italian football between 2012 and 2020 with nine consecutive titles and remains a benchmark in world football with a large fan base.

Juventus was a pioneer along with other clubs in the recruitment of foreign players, reinforcing its squad with international talent. As early as the late 1920s and 1930s, Luis Monti and Hector Scarone arrived at Juve from Argentina and Uruguay.

This international approach was similar to that of other European giants such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Premier League clubs, who also relied on foreign talent to keep them competitive.

The list of foreign stars who have made Juventus one of the best clubs in Europe is extensive, with an exceptional representative duo such as Michel Platini and Zbigniew Boniek.  Today we look at some of the pioneers who helped the club drive its success; we look at three notable club idols from the 50s and 60s, such as Omar Sívori (Argentina) and John Charles (Wales), or the Spaniard Luis del Sol, who marked an era at the club.

Omar Sívori - Juventus

Omar Sívori - Argentina - Played for Juventus from 1957-1965.  An idol of the 50s and 60s, won three Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia titles and was Ballon d'Or in 1961 as the best European player when he obtained dual nationality. He had played for Argentinean club River Plate, and brought with him the strength and know-how of one of the best teams in Argentinean football. His technique and temperament left their mark on the club's history. He was part of the famous ‘Holy Trident’ along with John Charles and legend Giampiero Boniperti. He joined Juventus after Argentina's victory in the 1957 Copa America.

John Charles - Juventus

John Charles - Wales - Played for Juventus between 1957-1962. Nicknamed ‘The Good Giant’ for his character and physical build, he was a powerful and versatile Welsh centre-forward who partnered Sivori and formed a lethal duo on the pitch and despite difficulties with their respective languages were good friends off the field. The legendary Welsh player won three league titles and two Italian Cups with Juventus. He came from Leeds United and it was at Juventus that he was at his best during his five years at the club. In fact, he was never forgotten and despite leaving Juve in 1962, in 1997, during the Centenary celebrations, he was voted the Bianconeri's best foreign player. In a poll he elected the second best foreign player of all time after Platini.

Luis del Sol- Juventus

Luis del Sol - Spain - Played for Juventus between 1962-1970. This tireless midfielder came from Betis and Real Madrid, where he shared a dressing room with Di Stéfano, Puskas and Gento, a good apprenticeship to apply later at the Italian club. He was the first Spanish player to be part of the Juve squad, a reference in the Juventus of the 60's, winning a league and an Italian Cup. He is considered one of the 50 most relevant players of the Turin Club and was included in the stadium's walk of fame.

These players left a deep mark on the history of the club and the shirts of the era are the best witness; therefore, we leave you the links to our selection of Juventus retro vintage shirts and jackets, Juventus shirts in the 50‘s and Juventus vintage kits in the 60’s.

A final thought on the recruitment of foreign football players

The addition to Juventus of players with diverse styles and experiences, such as Omar Sívori or John Charles brought new tactics and perspectives to Italian football. This gave the team an advantage in a period where the Italian league was starting to become more professional. We could speak of an early globalisation of football: Juventus management quickly understood that football was a global sport and that bringing in international players not only improved the level of play, but also expanded the club's influence internationally.

When travelling abroad was not so popular, this also allowed spectators and fans to admire the play of big football names. These recruitments not only improved the standard of their teams, but also contributed to making football the spectacle it is today and to raising the prestige of the European leagues.

But we must not forget the less positive aspect of this almost century-old trend. This internationalisation taken to the extreme has led to a loss of local identity and emotional connection between fans and clubs. In the past, teams used to consist mainly of local or national players, which generated a stronger sense of belonging among fans and a closer link to the community. Clubs reflected regional culture, values and identity. This has led many clubs to prioritise immediate success over the development of local talent, and some fans feel that their team has lost some of its essence.

In addition, globalisation has increased the economic disparity between rich and poor clubs, creating an elite of dominant teams. This dynamic has generated a nostalgia for the football of yesteryear, when local talent and team spirit outweighed commercial operations and the influence of the global market.

The final question we leave hanging is whether there could be a middle way between these two models?