Tomorrow will be a strange feeling for Silvio Berlusconi as he faces off against his beloved AC Milan as president of his beloved Monza for the first time.
La Gazzetta dello Sport recall some of Berlusconi’s best and wildest moments at Milan such as the helicopter arrival, the fireplace room, the celebration in front of the fans in Barcelona and of course the massive success on the pitch.
Berlusconi and his over 30-year long love affair with Milan came to an end a few years ago, having spent 20 of those as president. There was always drama, there was generally always success around the corner too (29 trophies won), but a few misplaced jokes and some controversial incidents.
From the first Scudetto won in 1988 to the last trophy, the one obtained in 2016 in the Italian Super Cup on penalties against Juve, the history of Berlusconi and that of Milan have remained closely intertwined, forming a family album.
Now Berlusconi returns to San Siro as a rival although it must be mentioned that his presence is not yet certain as it depends on political commitments, his other passion in life. Adriano Galliani will return, and he took up the same role he had at Milan after Berlusconi took over Monza.
We know how much Berlusconi has invested in over 30 years with Milan, from the first signing onwards, from his favourite Van Basten (“If I really have to name one of the many players I have had, I say Marco”), to the perfect Kaka (“I would like a son-in-law like him”). Then there was the quiet superstars like Andriy Shevchenko and the ones with reputation like Zlatan and Boateng.
Does Berlusconi like this Milan? It seems so, because he has repeatedly complimented Maldini despite the fact he turned down the idea of coming back while Silvio was still there. Milan are the hosts, Monza arrive as guests and rivals, but never enemies.
Berlusconi’s relationship with Milan and the success that he undoubtedly brought to the club needs to be looked at through the knowledge that this was a ‘sportswashing’ project using Milan and football as a soft power tool – unfortunately something that we’ve seen so many times since, whether that be Abramovic with Chelsea, Qatar with PSG or countless other examples.
I grew up with him being the owner of one of the most successful clubs in the world and I was open to listening and buying into his worldview as a result. People love to say ‘it doesn’t influence me’, but it does, and football tribalism (and blind loyalty) is something people like this are happy to take advantage of.
So by all means enjoy the memories of the Milan side that he bought in the 90s, but don’t forget the huge levels of corruption and power it helped to bring him, a man who proudly lists Putin as one of his best friends.
The current Milan means a lot more to me than the one I grew up with, because this is a team that has worked for and made its own success, not bought it. Last year’s title and every win in 2022 means more than any won under this charlatan.
Just my 2 cents.
I would also be extremely proud if Putin were my friend. He is one of the greatest statesmen on the planet in the last 50 years, without a shadow of a doubt.
But anyway, with his many successes and also numerous mistakes, Berlusconi will always be an iconic and fundamental figure in Rossoneri’s history.