It was a night of heartbreak and disbelief—a young boy from Switzerland, standing in the electrifying atmosphere of the Olympiastadion in Munich, watched as Juventus fell to Borussia Dortmund in the 1997 UEFA Champions League final. For some, that night would be remembered as a bitter defeat. But for Marco Dietiker, it became the birth of a passion, an unshakable identity that would tie him to the black and white forever. While other fans mourned the defeat, he found something far greater than a single result—he found his team, his colours, his obsession. From that moment, the black and white stripes weren’t just a jersey; they became a symbol of resilience, of hope, of fighting spirit. It wasn’t about the trophies won, but the way they carried themselves through triumph and despair. That night, amidst the tears, a lifelong love story began—one marked by loyalty, euphoria, and the unbreakable bond of being Juventino. “This was the beginning of my unwavering support of the club,” he recalls.
26 years and dozens of trophies and rewards later, Marco is closer to Juventus than ever before. Emerging technologies have changed the way fans interact with their sides. It’s no longer handwritten letters sent to club secretaries in hope, asking for autographs, and waiting in vain. The days of reading from newspapers or getting Teletext score updates are long behind us. The way we interact with our teams has changed drastically. The gap between the fan and the team has vanished. Through Fan Tokens, fans have more access and, more importantly, a voice. “My loyalty to the team deepened, as I paired my love for Juventus with a new way to engage with the club.”
Holding 1897 Juventus Fan Tokens™
Marco’s curiosity enabled him to discover Juventus Fan Tokens via Telegram. He was one of the first to discover Fan Tokens, indeed hearing about them before they were even launched. Within the Socios.com app, he found the perfect space to merge his two key interests: crypto and football. His initial target was simple: get a Fan Token each time Juventus scored a goal, aiming to reach 1,897 Juventus Fan Tokens.
Why that specific number? It’s all about the details—Juventus was founded in 1897, and he is one of the early adaptors, amongst a group of fans who got the first-ever Fan Tokens created. His Fan Token tally is a true statement of support.
The power of his Juventus Fan Tokens™
Marco’s passion for Juventus reached new heights with Fan Tokens, enabling him to actively engage with his club. Marco was drawn to the Fan Token concept because “it allowed me to participate in the club’s decisions, like voting on the design of the team’s tour bus.” Voting on polls, redeeming match tickets, and securing signed merchandise have deepened his connection. Importantly, Marco adds that “Polls made me feel more connected to Juventus, enhancing my involvement as a fan.”
His Fan Tokens enabled Marco to help pick the design for the team bus, locker room murals ahead of big matches, Coppa Italia match jerseys, and of course Juventus’ very first poll: picking the goal celebration song, which still rings out after every goal scored at home. Woohoo! What a tune by Blur – Song 2!
Marco cherishes the exclusive “money-can’t-buy” experiences, like scoring game-scored balls and feeling a direct influence on club decisions. Fan Tokens have transformed his fandom into a dynamic and rewarding journey, bringing him closer to the club he’s loved his entire life. He’s thrilled to have even collected two match-day souvenirs which he’ll “cherish forever” in the shape of game-scored balls as Juventus played against rivals Inter.
Fan Tokens transformed Marco’s use of crypto by tying it to his passion for Juventus. Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies, Fan Tokens provide real-life utility and tangible benefits, like exclusive experiences, rewards and club engagement, making the technology more relatable and meaningful. This connection has added a personal dimension to Marco’s crypto journey, blending his love for Juventus with a deeper appreciation for blockchain innovation, creating a uniquely rewarding experience.
On that unforgettable night at the Olympiastadion in Munich, a lifelong fan was born. What started as heartbreak has grown into a lifelong bond, with technology adding new dimensions to his loyalty. For Marco, Juventus isn’t just a club; it’s a part of who he is—and Fan Tokens have made that connection even stronger, reminding him why he fell in love with the black and white all those years ago.
Fan Tokens brought Marco closer to his team, and like his, there are hundreds more super stories. In the past 5 years fan influence has increased, and the rewards fans have earned while engaging with their team on the Socios.com app have been incredible. The best news is, we’re only five, and there’s so much more coming your way!
