Five most iconic moments under Massimo Moratti for Inter Milan

The end of an era is always something to look back on. There is both happiness and sadness there- the sadness is, of course, due to the fact that it is an end of something special; the happiness due to the fact that it is the beginning of something new. So it is at F. C. Internazionale Milano, where after 18 years at the helm, club President and CEO Massimo Moratti will step down from his role after confirming that he has sold off 70% of his share in the club.

When Moratti took over from Ernesto Pellegrini in 1995, Inter were stuck in the morass of mediocrity. They were seen as massive underachievers, and lagged behind in the popularity race that was dominated by bitter rivals AC Milan and Juventus. Moratti worked under the radar, never getting so much attention as his notorious colleague at AC Milan, Silvio Berlusconi, but that doesn’t mean he did not make an impact at Inter.

We take a look at the 5 most Iconic moments at Inter Milan under Massimo Moratti. A note to be made is that the list is in no particular order. The numbers are there only for ease of reading.

5) Signing of Javier Zanetti

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 18: Diego Milito (L) and Javier Zanetti (C) looks on during the TIM cup match between FC Internazionale Milano and AS Cittadella at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 18, 2013 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

It was perhaps written by the very hands of fate that Moratti’s first ever signing at Inter would be Javier Zanetti. The man who would go on to cement legendary status at the San Siro was bought by Moratti in 1995 from Argentine club Banfield as a fresh-faced 22 year old. Since then, he has gone on to make more than 840 appearances for the Nerazzuri, a record number of appearances for the team. Incidentally, the man who held the record before Zanetti was the very man who handed him the captain’s armband when he retired- Giuseppe Bergomi. The continued stay that Zanetti enjoys at Inter is a sign that no matter how commercialised football becomes, there is still that touch of human presence that cannot be taken away from it. Zanetti has won 16 trophies at Inter, out of which an astounding 15 came under his captaincy. Recognised by one and all as a consummate gentleman, Moratti will be remembered forever as the man who gave Italy and the world the opportunity to see this titan of the game.