Cardinale on Italian football crisis and Inter ‘not showing up’ for 2025 Champions League Final

During his interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan owner Gerry Cardinale stressed that Italian football must focus on ‘sports infrastructure’ and teased city rivals Inter suggesting that they ‘didn’t show up’ in the 2025 Champions League Final.

Gazzetta and Corriere della Sera released a long interview with Cardinale on Friday, in which the Milan owner openly spoke about the team’s poor results this season and hinted at possible changes in 2026-27 campaign.

Cardinale also spoke about the state of Italian football in Serie A, claiming: “I wish there were more focus on the crucial issues, the importance of sports infrastructure, how to modernise Italian football, and why Italy missed yet another World Cup, the third in a row. Instead, there’s controversy.

“You see, this isn’t just about Serie A. It’s about not showing up to Champions League Finals and losing 5-0; it’s about competing seriously in Europe.

“It’s about the 4-to-1 gap in TV rights revenues between the Premier League and everyone else.

“The gap in Italian football has widened. The reality is that, the way the world works today, you won’t solve it without money,” he added.

“And I know a thing or two about money. I don’t want to transplant the way we do things in America directly. I’m fully aware that things are different in Italy and that I need to adapt. I need to surround myself with great Italians who can help me do it, that’s part of the learning process.”