Inter Milan's Salary Cap Break: A Lesson in Mutual Benefit and the Controversies Surrounding Barella's Renewal

Before diving into the current hot topics surrounding Inter Milan, it's important to discuss two subjects that are currently trending in Italy. Firstly, many Italian politicians have been left astounded and outraged by the recent 2024 Beijing Auto Show. Italy, once a participant in China's "New Silk Road" initiative, withdrew due to Western influence. However, now seeing their neighbors, such as Germany, sending massive delegations of politicians and entrepreneurs to China, they feel deceived and regretful. Politicians are now saying, "We must deepen Sino-Italian cooperation for mutual benefit. Just look at the economic figures and Inter Milan!"

Secondly, during a recent livestream with Zhang Kangyang and Liu Teng, when asked if Inter Milan plans to recruit Chinese players, Zhang Kangyang responded, "If there is a suitable player, I hope to recruit Chinese players. Our name is Inter Milan, and when the team was founded, it included players of different races and nationalities. Overall, we have no requirements for nationality, but I hope to prioritize Italians."

With this context, it’s worth exploring a significant topic from a sporting perspective: Sino-Italian cooperation. Unlike a predatory approach, the Chinese play for mutual benefit. As a symbolic institution, Inter Milan embodies this philosophy.

In terms of business strategy, Inter Milan operates with Chinese capital at its core. When a major crisis like the pandemic hit, it was the Chinese who stepped up to take responsibility and save the day, even covering basic operational costs. However, they place significant importance on the role of Italians. Figures like Beppe Marotta, Alessandro Antonello, Piero Ausilio, and Simone Inzaghi are crucial. The Chinese owners are willing to delegate authority, and the Italian executives take on responsibility, leading to smooth operations.

The team-building strategy follows a similar approach. Zhang Kangyang has always had the conviction of "no concern about the player's nationality, but Italians first," which has been the "localization" strategy since Suning took over. The influence of local players within the team has significantly increased over the years. In this model, both Chinese and Italians can thrive and prove their worth, bringing mutual benefits and deeper understanding of "win-win" to many Italians.

With this foundation, let’s delve into one of Inter’s hottest topics: the controversial renewal of Nicolo Barella. Yesterday, La Gazzetta dello Sport confirmed that Inter has reached an agreement to extend Barella's contract until 2029, with an official announcement to come soon. His new salary will be €7 million net per year. This news has sparked widespread discussion on Twitter and Instagram, receiving both praise and criticism.

The criticism mainly focuses on two points. First, Barella's net salary of €7 million will break Inter's current salary cap. Presently, Inter's salary cap is just over €12 million gross, and Barella’s new contract will exceed €13 million. However, this is just part of a series of "rewarding merits" actions. Inter will also renew contracts for Simone Inzaghi and Lautaro Martinez, among others, further increasing the total salary outlay. It’s best to be mentally prepared for this, rather than getting upset now. As mentioned earlier, rewarding the players after winning the championship is inevitable. Unlike Napoli, who kept all the profits for the owners without sharing the benefits with the workers, which led to long-term issues as evident from the standings, Inter's approach is more balanced. Talking about "win-win" is pointless without tangible benefits. Barella is a tangible benefit.

According to revelations by Stoppini, Barella’s €7 million net salary isn't purely fixed; a portion of it is performance-based. If raising salaries is unavoidable, breaking the salary cap for someone like Barella—considering his vice-captaincy, on-field impact, leadership among national team players, and his long-standing support for Inter—is better than doing so for a less significant player. Furthermore, the breakthrough negotiations for Barella's renewal happened in Madrid, right before Inter was eliminated by Atlético Madrid. This timing also drew criticism from those who believe "not reaching the Champions League final is a crime." However, such accusations ignore the facts. In both legs against Atlético, Barella’s fighting spirit, performance, and contribution were among the best in the team.

Certainly, breaking the salary cap increases Inter’s financial burden. But every situation has its priorities. Inter's main goal is to remain competitive in the future, avoiding a situation like Napoli’s, where success was short-lived. Therefore, sharing the fruits of victory is inevitable. You can’t expect to reap all the benefits as the owner while leaving nothing for the players. Can such a domineering approach truly lead to success? That’s hardly a "win-win."

Of course, the challenges must be acknowledged. After all, Inter is still an economically struggling entity, yet to achieve financial balance, let alone profitability. Increasing the financial burden has both advantages and disadvantages. Given this context, using resources wisely, focusing on key areas, is crucial for balancing "financial security" and "sporting improvement."

So, what qualifies as a "key area"? It includes key figures like Simone Inzaghi, Barella, and Federico Dimarco—individuals who play vital roles in management, coaching, and the locker room, possess a sense of responsibility, and strive for team success while benefiting themselves. Among these individuals, the majority are Italians, embodying Inter's version of "Sino-Italian win-win cooperation."

The current international and Serie A landscapes are complex and ever-changing. However, based on recent statements from Marotta, Inzaghi, and Zhang Kangyang, it’s clear that Inter’s future will continue to emphasize the role of Italians, marking a significant strategic direction.