Before the sun set in Milan on Sunday, two stars shone brightly at San Siro as Inter Milan began its title celebrations.
Inter fans had been celebrating since last month when the Nerazzurri secured the Serie A title with five rounds remaining. The players finally got their hands on the trophy after the final home match of the season, which ended in a 1-1 draw against Lazio.
The title was Inter’s 20th, earning them a coveted second star. After the match, all the players wore special team shirts with “20” and two stars on the back.
Each player was called individually to walk to the stage and receive their medals, with Lautaro Martinez coming out last, after coach Simone Inzaghi. The Inter captain then lifted the trophy to cheers from a still-packed San Siro as fireworks exploded behind them.
The players paraded the trophy around the field, joined by their close friends and family, who had been waiting in a sectioned-off area near the stage.
The father of Inter forward Marcus Thuram was also present, proudly wearing an Inter shirt—albeit back-to-front so that his son’s name was on his chest. Lilian Thuram, who won the World Cup with France in 1998, played as a defender for Parma and Juventus.
Musicians and Inter fans Tananai and Ligabue performed a mini-concert. Questions about the financial status of the club couldn’t dampen the spirits.
There are reports that Suning and Inter President Steven Zhang could lose control of the club early next week if they fail to repay a debt of nearly 400 million euros ($434 million) to American investment fund Oaktree.
“This is a matter for our shareholders … I can only guarantee that the club is very solid and, with Zhang at the helm, we have followed a virtuous path on a balance sheet level,” Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta said. “I would challenge anyone to check by looking at our accounts.”
