Carly Paoli, the Italian-origin English singer, revealed that she was wearing an Italy jersey under a cloak while she performed the English national anthem before the UEFA Nation’s League match between England and Italy. 

The 33-year-old singer was performing at the pre-match ceremony as England met Italy on Friday. She first performed “God Save The Queen” – the English national anthem, and then while performing the Azzuri national anthem, she stripped her cloak to reveal she was wearing a full Italy kit all along. 

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The British singer and songwriter owe her Italian roots to her mother, who is a bilingual singer from the Italian province of Leece. She was chosen by the Italian Football Federation to perform before the UEFA nation’s league fixture. 

“For me, it is always a pleasure to go home” the singer was quoted saying to an Italian news outlet, as she set out to perform at the San Siro. 

“Performing in a stadium full of passionate fans will be a precious memory that I will carry inside. I am thrilled to be singing the anthems of two nations again that means so much to me,” she added. 

Carly is a regular in international football fixtures. She has previously performed during the World Cup qualifier match between North Ireland and Italy. 

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“I have been lucky enough to be able to perform in some of the most iconic venues in the world, and doing it in front of the Italian audience will be wonderful, just as it is an honor to sing “God Save the King” for the first time in an international football match” she further said, adding It will be a night that I will not be able to forget.” 

The match is being played at the San Siro stadium, in Milan, Italy. The English team is being led by Harry Kane, the Tottenham Hotspur striker, while veteran-defender Leonardo Bonucci is leading Italy.