Torino paid tribute to River with a new jersey inspired by their historic friendship

Italy's Torino FC unveiled its new alternate jersey, a design inspired by the relationship that unites the Italian club with River, forged more than seven decades ago after the Superga air tragedy.

In the announcement, which combines images of the Monumental, the Obelisk, and Giovanni Simeone, a forward who came up through River's youth academy, the Piedmontese club describes the launch as "a perspective that unites distant worlds." The message received an immediate response from Núñez: "Uniti per sempre" ("United forever"), River posted on its social media.

The new jersey, which features the phrase "Eterna Amistad" on its back, seeks to pay tribute to a bond that transcends generations. The story dates back to 1949, when the plane carrying Torino's squad from Lisbon crashed into the Basilica of Superga in the hills of Turin. The accident claimed the lives of all 31 passengers, including almost all the players from the legendary "Grande Torino," one of the most admired teams of the era.

Moved by the tragedy, River decided to travel to Italy to play a friendly match in tribute to the victims. On May 23 of that year, the Millonario squad departed for Europe, and three days later faced Torino "Simbolo," a team made up of players from various Italian clubs. The match, played in an atmosphere of deep emotion, became a gesture of solidarity that forever marked the history of both institutions.

Since then, the bond between Argentines and Europeans has remained unbreakable. Over the years, commemorative events, reciprocal visits, and mutual tributes have taken place. River even has a prominent space in the Italian club's museum, where that match and the friendship born from pain are remembered.

More than 75 years later, the unveiling of this jersey reaffirms that historic bond, which continues to serve as an example of how soccer can unite peoples and turn a tragedy into a symbol of fraternity.