Italian football club Juventus has closed its English-language account on X, ending the platform's activity after attracting approximately 3.3 million followers. The account, @juventusfcen, was no longer active, as announced in a farewell message posted on November 10. Fans were directed to follow @juventusfc, the club's only official active account on the platform, or visit the club's official website for updates.
The decision brings an end to a major English-language channel through which the Turin-based club communicated with supporters beyond Italy. This move is part of Juventus' efforts to consolidate its international social media presence under fewer accounts. The club's English account was a significant platform for engaging with international fans, providing updates, and sharing content.
The closure has brought renewed attention to one of the account's most memorable moments: its exchange with Spanish giants Barcelona during the 2020 UEFA Champions League campaign. The rivalry between the clubs spilled onto social media after Barcelona defeated Juventus 2-0 in Turin on October 28, 2020. Cristiano Ronaldo missed the match after testing positive for COVID-19, while Lionel Messi featured for Barcelona.
Barcelona posted a photograph of Messi with the message: "We are glad you were able to see the GOAT on your pitch, Juventus." The term GOAT, short for "Greatest of All Time," was a clear reference to the long-running debate between Messi and Ronaldo. Juventus responded with a warning: "You probably looked it up in the wrong dictionary. We'll bring you the right one at Camp Nou."
Juventus delivered on that promise when the teams met again on December 8, 2020. Juventus defeated Barcelona 3-0 at Camp Nou, with Ronaldo scoring twice and Weston McKennie adding another goal. Following the match, Juventus posted: "We kept our word: we brought it!" alongside a goat emoji and a book, completing the joke that had begun weeks earlier.
Although the English account is now inactive, that exchange remains one of the club's most widely remembered examples of football banter on social media. The closure of the account has sparked nostalgia among fans, who are revisiting some of the club's most memorable moments on X. The club's decision to consolidate its social media presence has raised questions about its engagement with international fans.
The closure of Juventus' English X account marks a significant change in the club's social media strategy. Fans will now have to follow the club's official account, @juventusfc, for updates and content. The club's move to consolidate its international social media presence is part of a larger trend among football clubs to streamline their online engagement.
Key points
- Juventus closed its English-language X account, citing consolidation of international social media presence.
- The account's closure brought renewed attention to the club's memorable exchange with Barcelona during the 2020 UEFA Champions League campaign.
- Fans will now have to follow the club's official account, @juventusfc, for updates and content.
