Pulisic, Milan to wear mothers’ names on shirts

AC Milan players will wear their mothers’ surnames on the back of their jerseys during Saturday’s Serie A fixture against Cagliari, the club announced, as part of an initiative to bring attention to personal identity rights.

It comes following an Italian law passed on June 1, 2022, that both parents have the right to choose their children’s surnames as an element of their personal identity.

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United States international Christian Pulisic will be one of Milan’s major players taking part in the initiative and said: “Playing with our mothers’ names on our jerseys is a special way to honor the incredible women who have shaped and supported us throughout our lives.

“It’s a meaningful gesture that highlights the importance of family and the strong bonds that drive us both on and off the pitch. I’m proud to represent my mom in this unique and heartfelt way alongside my teammates at AC Milan.”

Meanwhile, head coach Stefano Pioli wants Milan to end the season on a high note even though the Serie A title race is lost and their place in the Champions League is already secured.

AC Milan are winless in their last six matches in all competitions, a dismal run that included a 2-1 loss to Inter Milan which sealed a 20th Serie A title for their city rivals. Second-placed Milan have 71 points, five ahead of third-placed Juventus with three matches to go.

“We want to get back to winning ways for us, for the club, for the fans. Second place is an important goal, we are motivated to play this game,” Pioli told reporters ahead of the game against 15th-placed Cagliari.

“The squad is doing well, at the end of the season it is normal for some players to be more or less in form than one another and this will factor into my lineup.

“It would bother me if the squad weren’t to bring all their energy to finish this season in the best way possible. No one has said they want to take it slow before the end of the season, the whole squad is ready and available.”

Information from Reuters was used in this report.