ACF Fiorentina

Founding and Early Years

Associazione Calcio Fiorentina was formed in 1926 from the merger of two Florentine clubs, at the initiative of local fascist authorities who wanted Florence to have a single club of national standing. The club adopted purple (viola), a colour that quickly became both its nickname and its identity.

Club Evolution

Fiorentina moved in 1931 into the Stadio Artemio Franchi, an architectural masterpiece by Pier Luigi Nervi that remains their home today. The club achieved its first major success in the 1950s before becoming an Italian pioneer on the European stage in the 1960s.

Great Managers

Fulvio Bernardini led Fiorentina to their first Scudetto in 1955-56. The club became the very first winner of the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1960-61. More recently, under a succession of managers, Fiorentina reached two consecutive Europa Conference League finals (2023, 2024) without lifting the trophy.

Iconic Players

Giancarlo Antognoni, the iconic playmaker of the 1970s-80s, remains an absolute club legend. Gabriel Batistuta, who joined in 1991, became one of the greatest goalscorers in Serie A history and the symbol of Fiorentina for an entire decade, famously refusing for years to leave the club despite interest from Europe's biggest sides.

Major Achievements

Fiorentina have won two Scudetti (1955-56, 1968-69), six Coppa Italia titles, and one European Cup Winners' Cup (1960-61), of which they were the very first-ever winners.

The Club Today

Led by Fabio Grosso and chaired by Giuseppe Commisso, Fiorentina remain regulars in European competition and one of Italy's most closely followed clubs despite going without a domestic title for several decades.