Inter Milan’s decision to honor Valentino Rossi with a special edition Nike away kit speaks to the Italian football club’s flair for bridging passions. Rossi, a seven-time MotoGP World Champion, grew up rooting for Inter in the 1990s. Now, at age 46, he’s swapped the roar of his bike for the roar of the San Siro.
“It will be a huge honor to see the players of my team wearing this shirt created with Nike and Inter,” Rossi said in a statement. “It’s a dream come true as it brings together my passion for motorcycling and my favorite team. It’s also a display of love for the Club that has always made me feel at home.”
The kit, set to debut on April 12 at the San Siro when Inter faces Cagliari, offers fans a chance to celebrate two sporting worlds in one. Though the base remains Inter’s classic white away style, it now showcases a vivid yellow stripe and splashes of the club’s iconic Nerazzurri colors. Rossi’s famed “Soleluna” graphics illuminate the stripe, while his signature number, 46, appears in bright yellow at the bottom of each digit on the back.
One fusion, two passions
Designed to mark Rossi’s 46th birthday, this jersey features special touches that echo the essence of MotoGP. A small label near the bottom reads, “Engineered to the exact specifications of Valentino Rossi,” highlighting the commitment to performance and style. The collector’s “Rossi 46” version even morphs the number into a miniature racetrack, creating an extra layer of exclusivity for devoted fans.
For those hoping to snag one, sales began on April 10 at official Inter stores around Milan, Nike retail locations, and the club’s online portal, store.inter.it. The match-ready version costs about $220, while a stadium edition is around $165. There’s even a kids’ option priced at roughly $130.
Rossi will be busy juggling his current stint as a car racer in the World Endurance Championship. Still, he’s made it clear that nothing compares to seeing Inter players wear a kit carrying his iconic symbols. As he steps off the track at Imola later this month, he can look back at the San Siro and smile. Two worlds colliding can be messy, but in this case, it feels effortless.
