The tournament's history began under the presidency of Andrea Daliana with the 1st “Giglio di Firenze” Trophy, hosted at the Federal Technical Center of Coverciano thanks to the vision of Dr. Fino Fini (who later became Honorary President of Settignanese).
In 1981, looking to give the event an international identity rooted in strong values, the idea emerged to dedicate the tournament to Nereo Rocco. The intuition came from Franco Nannotti, who suggested the name of the "Paron" as a tribute to the rossonero colors shared with the legendary AC Milan. With the blessing of the Rocco family, the tournament has since become an unmissable event, rivaled in historical and technical prestige only by the Arco di Trento Tournament.
Organizing the Nereo Rocco Tournament demands sacrifice and total dedication. For our Partners, supporting this event means linking their brand to a world-renowned sporting excellence, while promoting the core values of fair play and youth development within the unique, unforgettable backdrop of Florence.
The tournament is far more than a competition; it is a major social and promotional engine that draws scouts, media coverage, and thousands of passionate fans year after year.
The "Nereo Rocco" has played host to some of the most decorated clubs on the planet and the world's most promising national selections. While Fiorentina holds the record as the undisputed "queen" of the tournament, the competition's prestige is cemented by the consistent participation of top-tier clubs, including:
Partecipare al Torneo Nereo Rocco significa, per un giovane calciatore, calcare un palcoscenico che ha lanciato stelle del calcio mondiale. Tra i tantissimi talenti che hanno calcato i nostri campi prima di affermarsi in Serie A e nelle competizioni internazionali, ricordiamo:
President of the Regional Council of Tuscany
Mayor of Florence
Chair of the Tuscany Regional Committee of the L.N.D. F.I.G.C.
Senator
Member of the Tuscany Regional Council
Member of the Tuscany Regional Council
Councillor for Sport, City of Florence
Councillor for Tourism and Economic Development, City of Florence
Member of the European Parliament
Metropolitan City Sports Representative
Town Councillor
Town Councillor
Chairman of Toscana Energia
Director of the Coverciano Federal Technical Centre
Chairman Q.2 Florence
Chairman of the ‘Artemio Franchi’ Foundation
Regional Committee of Tuscany, L.N.D. F.I.G.C.
Regional Committee of Tuscany, L.N.D. F.I.G.C.
Regional Secretary of the L.N.D. F.I.G.C.
Chairman of the Provincial Committee of the F.I.G.C.
Regional Head of Women’s Football
Provincial President of the A.I.A.C.
Chair of the AIA Florence Branch
Football Museum Coordinator
President of USSI Tuscany
La Nazione – President of the Tuscan Journalists’ Association
Corriere dello Sport
RTV 38
Corriere dello Sport - Stadio
Il Giornale – Lady Radio
La Nazione – President of the Tuscan Journalists’ Association
Radio Sportiva
Radio Bruno
La Repubblica
Calcio Più
Lady Radio
TVR - 7 Gold
La nazione
La Nazione
Il Tirreno
Infirenze Web
Toscana Gol
50Canale TV
Radio Firenze Viola
Il Punto Viola
Toscana TV
Toscana TV - 7 Gold
Consulente fiscale F.I.G.C.
Chair of the Rocco Prize Jury
President of U.S. Settignanese
U.S. Settignanese
U.S. Settignanese
Chairman of the ‘F. Valcareggi’ Football School
Vice-President of the “F. Valcareggi” Football Academy
Technical Director of the C.A.S.D. ‘F. Valcareggi’ Football Academy
Director of the C.A.S.D. ‘F. Valcareggi’ Football Academy
Technical Director of the C.A.S.D. ‘F. Valcareggi’ Pre-school