Former Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi has announced that legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be present for his farewell match, stepping into the dugout for the first time since 2019.
Rossi, who retired in 2023 after a career spanning clubs like Villarreal, Fiorentina, and Manchester United, has arranged a testimonial match titled Pepito Day. The game will take place on March 22 at Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence, Italy, and will feature a host of footballing greats.
Ferguson, who gave Rossi his professional debut at United in 2004, is among the invited guests, alongside football icons such as Gabriel Batistuta, Luca Toni, Antonio Cassano, Sebastian Frey, and Borja Valero.
Announcing the news, Rossi expressed his gratitude: “I am very proud to say that my first professional coach, Sir Alex Ferguson, will be there. He immediately said ‘yes’ when we reached out, which speaks volumes about the kind of person he is.”
Ferguson last took charge of a match in 2019 when he led Manchester United’s 99 Legends to a 5-0 victory over Bayern Munich at Old Trafford.
Rossi, who made 14 appearances for United before moving to Villarreal in 2007, reflected on Ferguson’s influence: “Whether you’re a player like me, who had limited chances at United, or someone like Cristiano Ronaldo, he treats everyone the same. That’s why I have so much respect for him.”
After leaving United, Rossi flourished at Villarreal, scoring 82 goals in 192 appearances. He later played for Fiorentina, netting 19 goals in 42 games. Despite being born in the U.S., he represented Italy internationally, scoring seven times in 30 caps for the Azzurri.
With Ferguson’s presence and a star-studded lineup, Pepito Day promises to be a memorable farewell to a player who left his mark on the game.