MILAN, Italy — Inter Milan had a special event on Saturday to show off the FIFA Club World Cup trophy at the legendary San Siro stadium. This presentation was hosted by the club’s CEO, Beppe Marotta, and legendary player, Javier Zanetti, in preparation for the first-ever tournament featuring 32 teams set to take place in the United States at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Inter Milan and Juventus are the only two clubs from Italy that qualified for this Club World Cup. Marotta expressed his pride, stating, “Being one of the only two teams representing Italy is a source of great pride for us, the result of the work of the last five years: we deserved this place.”
The tournament will happen every four years and is designed to emphasize competition among elite teams worldwide. Marotta added, “The Club World Cup will be a unique experience in the middle of two different seasons, in a new format that will allow us to compete with the best teams in the world.”
In the meantime, Michele Giannetti, a FIFA delegate, underscored the importance of the trophy’s global tour before the tournament, highlighting its symbolism for football communities as it travels from city to city. Currently, it is in Milan and expected to move to other major cities ahead of the competition.
Inter’s recent achievement has sparked excitement among fans, raising hopes for what could be a prestigious victory. “Inter is a great club and its history speaks for itself: we participate in every competition with maximum concentration,” Marotta said, voicing their commitment to aim for success while representing their club on a broader stage.
Additionally, Francesco Pio Esposito, at 19 years old, has made headlines for his sensational season in Serie B, where he scored fourteen goals. Although currently on loan at Spezia, he is being eyed for action with the big club as they prepare for the Club World Cup. Reports suggest he may not join the team until later in the tournament, opting to focus on the Under-21 European Championships with Italy first.
Inter will look to build momentum as they approach the upcoming tournament, although they are also engaged in tight races for the Serie A title, Coppa Italia, and the UEFA Champions League. “It’s a reward for the professionalism that the team has shown. We’re satisfied with it,” said Marotta about participating in the Club World Cup.
Going into the competition, Marotta acknowledges a psychological challenge: “We’ll have to manage an unprecedented period of time,” indicating that players and staff will need to find new energy levels to handle the dual challenges of league and international play.
