The death of 86-year-old Silvio Berlusconi, who died in Milan on June 12 from a leukaemia-related illness, was an epoch-marking event that profoundly shook not just Italian football fans but the entire country.
The media tycoon and former Prime Minister was, of course, best known to football fans all around the world as the owner of and inspiration behind the brilliant Milan side of the late 1980s/ early ’90s. For the last 30 years since his entry into politics in 1994, Berlusconi inevitably devoted less time to football, concentrating rather on his often bitterly controversial political career.
Before that, however, he had masterminded a truly golden era for Milan which, in just six years, saw the great club win three European Cups/ Champions Leagues (1989, 1990, 1994), two Intercontinental Cups (1989, 1990) and four Serie A titles (1988, 1992, 1993, 1994) in a magical moment when many considered Milan to be the strongest club team in world football.
Whatever about Berlusconi’s scandal-plagued public life, many football critics would probably agree that he was an innovative and farsighted club owner and one whose dynamic inspiration and cash (of course) created one of the greatest club sides of all time. Whilst Berlusconi remained, technically, the boss at Milan for another 20 years during which the club won two more Champions League trophies (2003, 2007) and four more Serie A titles (1996, 1999, 2004, 2011), nothing remotely matched the spectacular success of his early years in charge.
この記事は World Soccer の August 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は World Soccer の August 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role
Inter cruise to title number 20
Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals
HAT-TRICK HERO
Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final
GOING UP
The story of Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres' career has been one of upward trajectory - and there's plenty more to come from the Sporting superstar
Palau soldier on alone
The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner
Disasters brewing
There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines