Sir Alex Ferguson to Join Serie A Legends for Giuseppe Rossi’s Farewell Match
Former Italian international Giuseppe Rossi is set to bid farewell to professional football in a special match scheduled for March 22, 2025, at the Stadio Franchi in Florence. The event will feature an impressive lineup of Serie A legends and notable figures from Rossi’s career, including his former Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.
Rossi, who officially retired in the summer of 2023, announced on Wednesday that many of his ex-Fiorentina teammates and Italian football icons would participate in his “last dance.” Among the confirmed attendees are Luca Toni, Antonio Cassano, Sebastien Frey, Borja Valero, and the legendary Gabriel Omar Batistuta.
Perhaps the most surprising guest will be Sir Alex Ferguson, who gave Rossi his senior debut at Manchester United in 2004. Despite Rossi’s brief stint at Old Trafford, Ferguson’s willingness to attend speaks volumes about their relationship. Rossi expressed his gratitude, stating, “He immediately said yes, which shows the kind of person he is. I didn’t do much at United, but he treats me like a Ronaldo, who has scored 1,000 goals.”
Rossi’s career included spells at various clubs, but his time at Fiorentina from 2013 to 2017 was particularly memorable. He scored 19 goals in 42 appearances for the Viola, cementing his place in the hearts of Florence fans.
Reflecting on the upcoming event, Rossi said, “It will be a wonderful evening, a celebration for Florence and Fiorentina fans as well. Florence is like a second home for me—every time I come back, I feel great. We had amazing moments, both at the stadium and beyond. Even though it was ‘only’ three years, they were very intense, with memories that will go down in history and tough times too, like the injuries.”
The farewell match promises to be a fitting tribute to Rossi’s career, bringing together figures from various chapters of his football journey and offering fans a chance to say goodbye to a player who left an indelible mark on Italian football.