Icons who wore Lotto: A look back at legendary athletes

That’s the thing about true legends. They go beyond wins and medals, beyond numbers and podiums. Their legacy lives not just in highlight reels but in hearts, locker rooms, and dreams sparked across generations.

At Lotto, we’ve always believed in that kind of joy. The kind that starts on the field but never really stays there. We exist to bring the forgotten joy of sport back to the forefront, where play is passion, movement is memory, and every step tells a story.

Where It All Began...

1973  Montebelluna. A quiet town in Italy’s Treviso province, best known for its skilled shoemakers. Enter Lotto, part humble debut, part destiny in the making. First came tennis shoes, then a swift pivot into basketball, volleyball, track, and finally, the world's game - soccer.

From day one, our emblem was more than a logo: a tennis court and football field intertwined, symbolizing not just sport, but the shared spirit behind them. 

Respect. Fair play. Passion. 

No billboard quotes needed, just genuine grit stitched into every pair.

Game, Set, Legend: Lotto’s Grand Slam Start

That spirit? That’s exactly what defines an icon. And it’s also what defines iconic Lotto moments entry into the global sports arena. In the '70s, Lotto emerged as a force in tennis not by chasing, but by earning them.

Champions like John Newcombe, an 8-time Wimbledon winner, and Tonino Zugarelli, a Davis Cup victor, wore Lotto on their feet during the biggest moments of their careers, not for cameras but for connection because real recognizes real.

Gloves On, Game On: The Zoff Era & More

In football, one name towers above the rest: Dino Zoff. A wall between the posts, a commander on the field, and the man who led Italy to a World Cup victory, with Lotto accompanying every dive, every save.

Meanwhile, Lotto kept pushing the boundaries: in tennis with Thomas Muster and José Luis Clerc, and on the track with Morocco’s record-breaker Said Aouita, who made time itself seem like a personal challenge. And yes, Alessandro Andrei brought Olympic gold home - feet first in Lotto.

By the end of the '80s, the double field was on the world stage - 60 countries and counting.

Grit in Style: 90s Icons Who Changed the Game

The 90s wasn’t just about shoulder pads and synth-pop, it was about grit, elegance, and icons who redefined the rules. With Martina Navratilova leading the charge, Lotto didn’t just show up, it showed off, combining innovation with timeless design.

And in football, the story got even sweeter. A.C. Milan painted Europe red in 1994 with Lotto. Croatia, the surprise package of France ’98, danced into third place—again, with our double-field proudly stamped into their boots.

From Milan to the Maracanã: Lotto Goes Global

Let’s talk legacy. Cafù, Brazil’s ironclad captain, became the only player in history to appear in three consecutive World Cups, lifting the trophy in 2002, with Lotto on his side.

Then came 2006—Italy’s magical night. Luca Toni, Simone Perrotta, and Mauro Camoranesi weren’t just lifting the cup, they were making history as Lotto athletes in Lotto Zhero Evolution, our statement-making, lace-free football shoe.

That era also saw us shine with legends like Andriy Shevchenko, who brought home the 2003 European Championships with every step powered by Lotto.

Giant Killers & Game Changers: The Lotto Legacy

Continues

Joan Capdevila, sporting Lotto Fuerzapura, helped Spain script its World Cup fairytale in 2010. In 2014, we backed the dark horses Costa Rica’s national team - as they defied every prediction to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.

On the tennis courts, our champions Francesca Schiavone, Marion Bartoli, David Ferrer, and Agnieszka Radwanska - turned passion into trophies. Our Zhero Gravity VII boots even landed in Italy’s prestigious ADI Design Index 2015. Form, meet function.

The Future’s Fast. So Are We.

Now, as Lotto steps onto the UCL stage, the game feels bigger. Faster. Louder. But some things haven’t changed.

We still believe sport is joy in motion. We still believe in icons — not just the ones with medals, but the ones with heart. The ones who play for the love of it. Just like we do.

Final Whistle? Never.

Icons never fade - they evolve. And we at Lotto don’t just make gear. We create catalysts. Footwear that sparks stories. Jerseys that hold dreams. Equipment that performs, yes - but also believes.

Because sport isn’t something you fight for - it’s something you play. It’s where innocence meets excellence, where chasing a ball can lead to chasing your best self. From Italian roots to global turf, joy fuels performance, and our icons fuel our identity.