Celebrating the Lunar New Year with Inter Milan's Trio of Joyous News: Post-Moratti Era Breakthroughs and Steering Away from Juventus

As the Lunar New Year festivities begin, Inter Milan fans have plenty of reasons to celebrate. The Nerazzurri have received three major pieces of good news that highlight the club’s resurgence in the post-Moratti era. From achieving financial milestones to solidifying leadership and attracting top talent, Inter Milan is making significant strides on and off the pitch. These developments reflect the club’s return to the elite status it once enjoyed, bringing renewed hope and excitement to its supporters.

Financial Milestone: Over €100 Million in Champions League Revenue

Inter Milan’s first piece of good news is a significant financial achievement. For the first time in 14 years, the club has exceeded €100 million in Champions League revenue in a single season. According to UEFA’s financial report for the 2022-23 season, the four Italian teams participating in the Champions League collectively earned €321 million, a 47% increase from the €218 million earned in the 2021-22 season. This underscores the massive financial gap between Serie A giants with and without Champions League participation.

Inter Milan, by reaching the Champions League final, earned a total of €101.289 million, placing them among the top five earners in Europe alongside Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain. This marks the first time since the treble-winning season of 2009-10, when Inter earned €120 million in Champions League revenue, that the club has surpassed the €100 million mark in European competition. Over the past 14 years, Inter Milan has endured significant challenges, including a tumultuous period under former owner Erick Thohir and several seasons without Champions League (or even European) football. Despite obstacles such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Inter Milan has managed to recover and reestablish itself among Europe’s elite clubs.

Leadership Stability: Marotta Rejects Juventus Rumors

The second piece of good news involves Inter Milan’s CEO, Beppe Marotta. Following Inter’s victory over Juventus, rumors in the Italian media speculated that Marotta might leave the club and return to Juventus. However, Marotta’s agent, Giovanni Chiocondo-Matorelli, has firmly denied these claims, stating that Marotta is committed to Inter Milan and has no intention of returning to Juventus. “Marotta returning to Juventus? No, that’s impossible,” Chiocondo-Matorelli said. “I am sure he is very happy at Inter. He is working at an outstanding club and achieving great results. I don’t think he would consider such a move. Historically, these ‘second comings’ rarely succeed.”

Marotta himself has also addressed these rumors, confirming that his contract with Inter Milan runs until 2027, and he intends to make Inter his final club before retiring from football to pursue a political career at age 70. Inter Milan fans have taken to social media to express their support, urging Marotta to extend his stay at the club until age 73 or 75. While the feasibility of such a plan depends on whether a septuagenarian can handle the demands of a top club’s CEO role, Marotta’s reputation and commitment suggest he will not break his promise for Juventus.

This sentiment is echoed by numerous Italian football insiders, agents, and experts, who now view a move from Inter Milan to Juventus not as a step up but as a step back. When Marotta joined Inter from Juventus in December 2018, many considered it a demotion. The complete reversal in perception highlights Inter’s progress and current standing in Italian football.

Enhanced Attraction: Romano Confirms Key Transfers

The third positive development for Inter Milan comes from transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano. In a recent interview with Kicker, Romano discussed Inter’s improving attractiveness to top players and the club’s ongoing efforts in contract renewals and new signings. According to Romano, Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi, following Iran’s exit from the Asian Cup, has given a crucial confirmation regarding a “2+1” contract with Inter, effectively putting the deal in a “here we go” status. Taremi is expected to undergo a medical in Milan in the coming weeks to finalize the transfer.

Romano also noted the clear intentions of key players like Lautaro Martinez and Nicolo Barella to stay with Inter, and the positive situations regarding potential signings like Piotr Zielinski and Taremi. Inter’s current status as a club capable of competing in the Club World Cup and the new Champions League format has significantly boosted their appeal. Marotta himself has commented on this shift, recalling the difficulty of securing free transfers when he first joined Inter, contrasted with the relative ease now despite the club’s ongoing efforts to cut costs and manage wages.

This increased attractiveness is not only evident in current players and potential signings but also in former players’ continued affinity for the club. Legends like Lothar Matthäus, who recently described Inter’s midfield as one of Europe’s strongest, and players like Marcelo Brozovic and Achraf Hakimi, who maintain a close bond with the club, exemplify this loyalty. Such sentiments are valuable in elevating Inter’s prestige and can influence both current squad morale and future recruitment.

Conclusion: A Bright Future Ahead

Inter Milan’s trio of joyous news marks significant progress in the club’s journey back to the top. The financial milestone achieved in the Champions League, the stability provided by Marotta’s leadership, and the enhanced attractiveness to top players all point to a bright future for the Nerazzurri. As the club continues to build on these successes, Inter Milan fans have every reason to be optimistic about what lies ahead.

These positive developments come at an auspicious time, adding to the festive cheer of the Lunar New Year. As the Year of the Dragon approaches, Inter Milan’s supporters can look forward to continued progress and success, driven by a club that is regaining its rightful place among the giants of European football.