AC Milan will once again celebrate Mother’s Day by continuing a new tradition launched last year, which was a first in Italian football.
Last year, when Milan celebrated a 5-1 win over Cagliari on the field to take a big step towards securing second spot, the players took to the field wearing different names to what they usually do.
As the official website confirms, Milan will keep the trend from last year going. Over the course of the weekend, players from the men’s first team will take the field wearing their mothers’ maiden names on the backs of their shirts, instead of the surnames they usually wear.
It will apply in the Serie A match against Bologna on Friday 9 May, when the players’ maternal surnames will feature in Milan’s official line-up announcement, displayed on the stadium’s giant screens and read aloud by the announcer.
The same big screens and the LED displays in and around San Siro will feature Mother’s Day-themed graphics, displaying images of mothers sent in by players, club legends and fans from all over the world.
The statement continues: “As part of the initiative, Fondazione Milan will support around 70 teenage mothers through a fundraising campaign in aid of a parenting support programme run at the Spazio Indifesa Hub in the Gallaratese district of Milan.
“Managed by Terre des Hommes and opened in 2021 with the support of the Foundation, the Hub provides vital services to young mothers in need. A portion of the proceeds from the auction of match-worn shirts and Mascot experiences – generously provided by ComAve, AC Milan’s Global Partner and Shopping Experience Platform Partner – will go towards the fundraiser.
“Purchases of items from the Club’s new Women’s Collection made in physical and online stores between Friday 9 and Sunday 11 May, as well as tickets to the Mondo Milan Museum during the AC Milan vs. Bologna matchday, will also contribute to the cause through a share of the proceeds.
“Some children from the Spazio Indifesa programme will also have the unique opportunity to walk onto the pitch with the players ahead of Friday’s match.
“Through this integrated initiative, the entire Rossoneri family wishes to express its gratitude to those who have supported us every day and taught us respect, courage, and the strength to believe in our dreams – both on the pitch and in life.”
This was a really nice initiative, good to see it back
Great initiative, if I am correct, Milan are the first team to do this…this has the potential to be adopted by other teams and sports as well!
For all that half the time this team has me wanting to pull clumps of my hair out, every so often they get it right and I remember why I don’t really feel an affinity to any other FC except Milan. This is brilliant!
Too bad Leao is suspended for this match.
Would have loved to see ‘Conceicao” score a goal.
This is a great initiative. Glad they are doing it again.
We are all 51% our mothers (mitochondrial dna only comes from your mother’s egg).