Pepito Day: Florence celebrates footballer Giuseppe Rossi with a night of emotions and great champions

A wave of emotions swept through the Stadio Franchi for the Pepito Day, an event celebrating the extraordinary career of Giuseppe Rossi with a friendly match featuring legendary football stars. From Gabriel Omar Batistuta to Sir Alex Ferguson, along with Luca Toni, Borja Valero, Sebastian Frey, Antonio Cassano, and many more, the evening was a true festival of sport and entertainment.

With this special event, Pepito bid farewell to professional football in a stadium that witnessed some of the most unforgettable moments of his career. The match, full of nostalgia and fun, ended with a spectacular 7-5, filled with skillful plays and smiles among longtime friends.

A memorable event blending sport and entertainment

The day kicked off with a youth tournament, symbolizing the passing of the torch to the new generations, and culminated in the grand showdown between football legends, delivering magical moments to the fans who gathered to honor their idol.

Organized by Oltre Consulting in collaboration with ACF Fiorentina, with the support of the Tuscany Region and Toscana Sportiva, the Pepito Day was also endorsed by the Municipality of Florence. AIM Group, which has a long-term partnership with Oltre Consulting, was a sponsor of the event and contributed to its organization with various services.

Recognized as one of the most brilliant talents in Italian football over the past twenty years, Giuseppe Rossi shared the pitch with former teammates from different stages of his career: from Manchester United to Villarreal, through Parma and Fiorentina, without forgetting the Italian National Team.

But Pepito Day was not just about football: Florence’s heart also beat strongly thanks to a special performance by the Street Clerks, an iconic Florentine rock band, and the spectacular participation of the Historic Parade of the Florentine Republic and the Calcio Storico Fiorentino. The event was broadcast live by DAZN, the official broadcaster of the evening.

Pepito’s farewell: “Florence is my second home”

The protagonist of the night shared his heartfelt words:

“I chose Florence because it is my second home. Every time I return, I feel good among the Florentines, in the city, with the fans. Even though I was here for only three years, I experienced unforgettable, intense, and emotional moments, both on and off the field, through which we created memories that will remain in history. During difficult times, especially due to injuries, I always felt the warmth and support of everyone. It was only natural to organize this event right here. And how could I forget that hat-trick against Juve? An extraordinary match, unique emotions!” said Giuseppe Rossi.

The event organizers also expressed their enthusiasm for its success:

“It was a pleasure to be part of this celebration of sport and football, once again demonstrating the ability of sporting events to engage and excite people with strong and impactful communication,” said Armando Mastrapasqua, General Manager of the Events and Sports Division at AIM Group.

“It was a great honor when Giuseppe Rossi asked us to organize such an important event for him. With great enthusiasm, we designed an event that combines football and entertainment: Pepito Day is more than just a match; it is a grand celebration to pay tribute to a champion who has written indelible pages in the history of Fiorentina and the National Team,” added Maria Cristina Russo, CEO of Oltre Consulting.

An unforgettable tribute to a timeless champion

The Pepito Day was much more than just a farewell match: it was a tribute to the talent, resilience, and passion of a player who has captured the hearts of football fans everywhere. Florence responded with overwhelming affection, giving Pepito a night that will remain etched in everyone’s memory.