No Pulisic, Gimenez, Felix: The real reason behind Milan players’ decision to make bold kit change in Serie A clash vs Bologna

When Milan line up at San Siro on Friday evening to face Bologna in Serie A, supporters might do a double-take. The names on the players’ shirts—familiar faces like Christian Pulisic, Santiago Gimenez, and Joao Felix—won’t be what fans expect.

When Milan line up at San Siro on Friday evening to face Bologna in Serie A, supporters might do a double-take. The names on the players’ shirts—familiar faces like Christian Pulisic, Santiago Gimenez, and Joao Felix—won’t be what fans expect. In a curious twist, Milan’s players will take the pitch without their usual surnames. But what at first seems like a cryptic riddle is, in fact, a deeply meaningful gesture rooted in celebration, awareness, and tradition.

This weekend’s encounter is the first of two duels in five days between Milan and Bologna. While the latter continues its fight for a Champions League place, the Rossoneri are sharpening their focus on next week’s Coppa Italia final in Rome. In that light, this match serves as a prelude—a test of rhythm and readiness. Yet, the main talking point ahead of kickoff has little to do with tactics or team selection.

Milan boss Sergio Conceicao skipped the pre-match press conference, adding to the sense of mystery. Whispers about potential squad rotations dominated the headlines, but what truly caught fans’ attention was the absence of players’ surnames on the official lineup.

The reason why Milan stars will not be wearing their last names on the jerseys

The reason behind the unusual jerseys is now clear: Milan is once again honoring Mother’s Day by having their first-team players wear their mothers’ maiden names on their kits, a tradition they first introduced last season. The tribute isn’t just a symbolic gesture—it is part of a larger social campaign powered by Fondazione Milan.

“Over the course of the weekend, players from the men’s first team will take the field wearing their mothers’ maiden names on the backs of their shirts,” reads an official statement from the San Siro outfit. “The players’ maternal surnames will feature in Milan’s official line-up announcement, displayed on San Siro’s giant screens and read aloud by the announcer.”

Beyond the matchday kits, the tribute includes Mother’s Day-themed graphics across the stadium, with visuals curated from submissions by players, club legends, and fans. These messages aim to celebrate maternal influence, not only in the player’s personal journeys but also as a nod to broader societal contributions.

More than gesture and tradition

The initiative goes even further. Fondazione Milan will support around 70 teenage mothers through a fundraising campaign linked to the event. The effort is in collaboration with the Spazio Indifesa Hub, a center in the Gallaratese district of Milan, which offers parenting support services. The hub, opened in 2021 by Terre des Hommes with backing from the foundation, plays a crucial role in supporting vulnerable young mothers.

There’s another powerful layer to this initiative. By showcasing maternal surnames, the Red and Blacks are helping raise awareness about Italy’s Constitutional Court ruling no. 131 of 2022, which struck down the automatic assignment of only the father’s surname to newborns. The decision gave Italian parents equal rights to choose their child’s surname, a milestone in gender equality. Despite the ruling, public understanding of the change has remained limited. Milan’s platform offers a chance to change that, using soccer’s massive audience to spark conversation.

Last year, Milan debuted this initiative with a 5-1 win over Cagliari, and it was instantly embraced as a bold, progressive statement. That tradition continues, not only as a touching tribute but as a rallying cry for awareness, inclusion, and support for women and young mothers across Italy.

So when fans see Gimenez, Felix, or Pulisic’s jerseys missing their usual surnames, they will now understand that it’s far from a mistake. It’s a reminder that behind every player is a story—and often, a mother—worth celebrating.