Giuseppe MarottaCoach·Giuseppe Marotta, the esteemed President of Inter Milan, has offered a candid look into his five-decade career in football, disclosing his disagreement with JuventusTeam·Juventus's decision to sign Cristiano RonaldoPlayer·Cristiano Ronaldo and outlining a potential path to retirement should Inter secure the coveted Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League title. These insights emerge as Inter Milan celebrates a domestically successful 2025/26 season, having clinched both the Serie ACompetition·Serie A Scudetto and the Coppa ItaliaCompetition·Coppa Italia.
Marotta, who previously served as CEO at JuventusTeam·Juventus, confirmed his reservations regarding the high-profile acquisition of Cristiano RonaldoPlayer·Cristiano Ronaldo. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, as reported by Goal, he stated, "I was not in agreement on the signing of Cristiano RonaldoPlayer·Cristiano Ronaldo, but my time at JuventusTeam·Juventus did not end because of that." He elaborated on the dynamics of club leadership, noting, "When the ownership takes a step forward, the manager must take a step back." Marotta has consistently maintained that the financial implications of the Ronaldo transfer were substantial for JuventusTeam·Juventus at the time, despite acknowledging Ronaldo's unique impact on the pitch. While Ronaldo undoubtedly made a difference, the desired Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League success eluded JuventusTeam·Juventus during his tenure.
His departure from JuventusTeam·Juventus paved the way for a pivotal move to Inter Milan, initiated by a message from an unknown number signed by Zhang the day after his exit. This unconventional approach led to one of the most significant appointments in Italian football, with Marotta taking the helm at Inter.
Now, Marotta's ultimate ambition is firmly set on European glory with the Nerazzurri. "My next dream? It would be too easy to say the Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League," he reflected. "Of course I want to win it with Inter. My teams have played four finals and lost them all. If we won the Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League, I could go into retirement." This declaration underscores the profound importance of the Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League for his legacy at the club.
Inter Milan's 2025/26 campaign under coach Cristian ChivuCoach·Cristian Chivu has been marked by domestic dominance, culminating in the Serie ACompetition·Serie A title and the Coppa ItaliaCompetition·Coppa Italia. However, their Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League journey presented a different challenge, with the club needing to navigate a two-legged playoff to reach the Round of 16. Despite the domestic triumphs, Marotta expressed "regret over the Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League" when reflecting on the season, indicating that the European crown remains a primary objective and a key factor in his future plans. The club's transfer strategy, as outlined by Marotta, focuses on "evolution, not revolution," aiming to blend young talent with experienced players to sustain their success.
Marotta also addressed past criticisms, including a claim by José MourinhoCoach·José Mourinho that none of Chivu's players would have featured in his 2010 treble-winning side. Marotta firmly countered, "I believe the players who won the Scudetto and Coppa ItaliaCompetition·Coppa Italia are great athletes and champions. It is not right to compare athletes from different eras." He was equally direct regarding social media criticism under the hashtag MarottaLeague, asserting, "Those keyboard warriors know nothing about the people they talk about. They rush to judge without knowing. All they do is throw mud."
Khephren Thuram of Juventus reacts during a Serie A match against Inter Milan. NurPhoto/IMAGO
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