Football Club Internazionale Milano, commonly referred to as Inter Milan or simply Inter, is one of the most iconic and successful football clubs in the world. Founded in 1908, the club is based in Milan, Italy, and plays its home matches at the famous San Siro Stadium, also known as the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, that has a seating capacity of over 75,000.
Inter Milan boasts a rich history, having won 19 Serie A titles, 7 Coppa Italia titles, 3 UEFA Champions League titles, and numerous other domestic and international trophies. The club enjoyed its most successful era under legendary manager Helenio Herrera, who led Inter to three Serie A titles and two European Cup victories in the 1960s, a period known as 'La Grande Inter'.
Known for its defensive yet effective style of play called 'Catenaccio', the club has nurtured some of football’s greatest talents, including Giuseppe Meazza, Javier Zanetti, Ronaldo, and Diego Milito. Despite recent challenges and inconsistent performances, Inter Milan remains one of the world’s most valuable football clubs, with a global fan base and a rich tradition that continues to influence Italian and world football.
FC Internazionale Milano, also known as Inter Milan, is one of the most revered football clubs in the world, boasting one of the highest average home attendances in Europe. The club states that its worldwide fan base includes more than 200 officially recognised branches of the Inter Club, in at least 24 countries. The club capitalises on this support through its worldwide summer tours. According to accountancy firm and sports industry consultants Deloitte, Inter Milan has a fan base of 40 million worldwide. The club has one of the highest social media followings in the world among sports teams, with over 28 million Facebook followers as of July 2023.
Inter Milan was formed in 1908 as Football Club Internazionale by a group of 'rebels' who were dissatisfied with the Swiss domination of the existing Milan Football and Cricket Club. The team initially played games against local sides and other Italian clubs. Their first recorded match was against a team formed by British expatriates, and they won the game 3–2.
In 1960, the club underwent a transformative period under the management of Helenio Herrera, known for his emphasis on fitness and a tactical system known as 'Catenaccio'. Under Herrera, Inter Milan achieved enormous success, winning three Serie A titles, two European Cups and an Intercontinental Cup.
On 28 May 2010, after leading Inter Milan to a historic treble of Serie A, Coppa Italia and UEFA Champions League, Jose Mourinho announced his departure to manage Real Madrid. This marked the beginning of a tumultuous period for the club. A series of managers including Rafael Benitez, Leonardo, and Andrea Stramaccioni failed to maintain the club's high standards. Inter Milan experienced their worst season in 45 years in the 2012–2013 season, finishing ninth in Serie A and failing to qualify for European competitions for the first time in 15 years.
Originally founded by a group of 'Milan Cricket and Football Club' members, in March 1908, the club became FC Internazionale Milano, commonly referred to as Inter Milan. The club has always been seen as the team of the Milanese middle class, in contrast to their local rivals AC Milan, which was traditionally supported by the working class. Inter Milan's early years were funded by wealthy Milanese families and businesses who invested in the club's success.
In 1928, the club was taken over by the Fausto Coppi, a wealthy industrialist, who invested heavily in the club. Following World War II, the club faced financial difficulties but was saved by oil tycoon Angelo Moratti in 1955. His investment propelled the club to new heights, culminating in the famous 'Grande Inter' era of the 1960s under legendary coach Helenio Herrera.
Following Moratti's departure in 1968, the club struggled financially until 1995, when it was purchased by Massimo Moratti, son of Angelo Moratti. Massimo invested heavily in the squad, bringing in world-class talent and achieving a period of success in the late 2000s, including a historic treble in 2010 under coach Jose Mourinho.
In 2013, Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir acquired a majority stake in the club, becoming the first foreign owner in Inter's history. Thohir's tenure was marked by financial stability but limited on-field success. In 2016, Chinese retail giant Suning Holdings Group acquired a majority stake from Thohir, ushering in a new era of Chinese investment in European football. The club is currently owned by the Zhang family, with Steven Zhang serving as club president.
FC Internazionale Milano, also known as Inter Milan, is one of the most successful clubs in Italy and Europe in terms of trophies won. The club's first trophy was the Italian Football Championship, which they won in 1910. Since then, they have gone on to win 19 Serie A titles, and their total of 7 Coppa Italia is significant. Those titles have meant the club has appeared multiple times in the Supercoppa Italiana; of those appearances, Inter Milan has won 5 times.
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Inter Milan Official Website: Detailed history and information about Football Club Internazionale Milano https://www.inter.it/en
UEFA Official Website: Comprehensive coverage of Inter Milan's performance in UEFA competitions https://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/teams/club=50067/profile/index.html
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