Milan Boss Massimiliano Allegri Set To Carry Olympic Torch In 2026 Winter Games Relay
A huge honour for the Milan head coach.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Updated on 07 January 2026
AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri will carry the Olympic torch as part of the relay for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games.
Milan announced the honour on social media, with Allegri included on a growing list of high-profile Italian sport figures.
Allegri said he was “happy” with the news, calling it “an emotion” and “a wonderful experience”.
Speaking at the press conference ahead of the Genoa game, he also thanked the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) for the opportunity.
Varese relay leg for Massimiliano Allegri
Allegri’s appearance links soccer to an event Milan will host directly, with the Games due to begin in early February.
The torch relay will end at San Siro, which will host the opening ceremony on Friday, February 6.
Allegri will take part in the Varese stage of the torch relay on January 14, according to Italian news agency Adnkronos.
Massimiliano Allegri will have the honour of carrying the Olympic Flame ahead of Milano Cortina 2026! ❄️
Complimenti Mister! 👏 pic.twitter.com/vXynAQ3tP9
— AC Milan (@acmilan) January 7, 2026
The torch relay is building momentum across Italy ahead of Milano Cortina, with the flame travelling thousands of kilometres before the opening ceremony.
Locations on the torch’s route include Rome’s Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, Milan’s Duomo and Venice’s Grand Canal.
The flame travelled to Naples for Christmas and celebrated New Year’s Eve in Bari.
On January 26, 2026, it will return to Cortina d’Ampezzo, 70 years after the 1956 opening ceremony.
It will then conclude its journey in Milan, entering San Siro on the evening of February 6.
From Ibrahimovic to Fabregas as soccer joins the countdown
Goal Italia reported that Allegri is part of a torchbearer roster that includes Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Como coach Cesc Fabregas.
Other soccer figures include Fabio Cannavaro, Javier Zanetti, Filippo Inzaghi and Alisha Lehmann.
The organisers’ list mixes Olympians, Paralympians and public figures, reflecting a relay intended to represent different sports and communities.
The torch has been used in promotional events across the country, with the relay itself framed as a key symbol of the build-up.
For Allegri, the role offers a brief spotlight away from soccer in a huge season for Milan.
Next up for the Rossoneri is Thursday’s Serie A meeting with Genoa.
One key worry for Allegri is the injured Christopher Nkunku who won’t feature.
Milan also have a big January transfer window on the horizon, along with several key renewals on the cards.
For instance, a new contract beckons for Mike Maignan, the Rossoneri’s goalkeeper.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte is a sports journalist with over a decade of professional experience in the industry. His main professional expertise is in soccer. Prior to joining FootItalia, he worked for the likes of Sports Mole, TBR Football, the Chelsea Chronicle and numerous other sites, along with having bylines in the likes of the Nottingham Post. He holds degrees in Journalism and International Relations.
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