Presented here is perhaps the most significant jersey from the personal collection of former Brazilian footballer Oscar Bernardi: an Italy National Team shirt worn by the great Paolo Rossi at the 1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina. In his first World Cup, the 21-year-old striker performed brilliantly, tallying three goals and four assists as the Azzurri finished in fourth place. Italy lost to Brazil in the third-place match, 2-1, and afterwards Rossi and Oscar exchanged shirts as tradition goes. Both players started and played the entire match. It was Oscar who had the tough task of marking the talented young Italian, and the Brazilian center-back was able to keep him off the score sheet in this one.

Paolo Rossi’s fascinating football career was an inspiring rags-to-riches story mixed with controversy. Starring for LR Vicenza in Serie B, he led the small-market Italian club to Serie A promotion and all the way to a runner-up finish in 1977/78 behind Juventus. Involved in a 1980 match-fixing scandal, Rossi served a two-year ban before joining Juventus and getting reinstated with Italy before the 1982 FIFA World Cup. That’s when his legend took off. Rossi was unstoppable in Spain, scoring six goals to win the Golden Boot and Golden Ball, and more importantly, leading Italy to its first World Cup title. Combined with his club season at Juventus, he received the 1982 Ballon d’Or as well. Among the all-time greats who have worn the Azzurri blue, Paolo Rossi remains the most beloved for giving Italians their first taste of football glory on the world’s biggest stage.

The blue long-sleeved jersey comes in Italy’s classic home style worn throughout history. Tagged by Italian apparel brand Baila within the collar, the shirt is made of 20% wool and 80% nylon with a crew neck and sleeve ends that are both ribbed for comfort. The Italy National Team shield crest is sewn on the left chest. On the back is Rossi’s number “21” in white bordered numerals. Rossi wore #21 during the entire ’78 World Cup. (He wore #20 at the ’82 World Cup.) The shirt exhibits a consistent level of wear throughout with light piling and stretching to the fabric. Condition is outstanding even after having repeated use and laundry evidence. It is very likely this shirt was worn in multiple 1978 World Cup matches.

Rossi spent four seasons at Juventus (1981-85) where he won two Serie A titles, the Coppa Italia, the UEFA Super Cup, and the UEFA European Cup (now UCL) with the Turin-based giant. With Italy, he scored 20 goals in 48 caps from 1977 to ‘86. He remains one of just ten players ever to win the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League and Ballon d'Or. Match-worn material from the Italian legend rarely surfaces in the hobby. The only other example we could find was a 1977 friendly shirt that sold for $11,700 in 2023. Prior to that, nothing.

The Oscar Bernardi Collection

This shirt comes from the personal collection of José Oscar Bernardi, better known as Oscar, who played for the Brazil National Team from 1977 to 1986 (same tenure as Rossi with Italy). Included is a letter of provenance signed by Oscar. Most jerseys in the collection were obtained directly through player swaps after competition. Others were acquired via gifts or trade with other footballers in Oscar’s wide network of teammates and friends. At age 71, he still resides in Brazil and is ready for his collection to be appreciated by others in the hobby.