MILAN – (ANSA) Filippo, the boy who became an overnight Internet sensation after being pictured at yesterday's match holding up a board asking Inter to win so that his friends don't make fun of him, will visit the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti tomorrow morning along with his mum, dad and sisters. The club was touched by the gesture of the young Interista in this difficult period. TV and other media companies had been trying to find the boy seen during yesterday's game with a board that said "Can you win? Otherwise they'll make fun of me at school. Thanks, Filippo." Inter also sought out the young lad and managed to track him down this evening, speak to his dad and invite them to the Nerazzurri training centre tomorrow so that the boy can meet his heroes. It's a way to dispel some of the tension in the camp at the moment but will also provide consolation for Filippo, as he will probably get an earful from his class-mates when he goes back to school on Monday. That's why the Nerazzurri want to make up for it before leaving for Marseille, where they take on Olympique next Wednesday.
Filippo, who has become a huge hit along with his sign, spoke about his sudden popularity and explained the reasons behind his actions in an interview with Telelombardia. He is nine years old and in the 4th year of elementary school. He was caught on camera with his small mop of hair and a sad look on his face as Inter were losing to Bologna, holding up his message printed in alternating black and blue letters. Though very young, Filippo has got very clear ideas, at least as far as football is concerned: "I'm not going to change team, I'm staying an Inter fan. When we won the treble it was me who teased my friends; now I can walk around with my head held high. I hope that the sign against Bologna is the last one I'll hold up." So after having his picture thrown into the limelight, Filippo now has a voice and a clearer identity too - he told listeners about his passions, the first of which is of course football: "I play football too," he said proudly, "and I play up front. Tomorrow I'll go to La Pinetina to meet the Inter players."
The club, despite the difficult moment the team is going through,
was touched by the story of the young Nerazzurri fan and sought him
out to invite him to La Pinetina. The meeting will take place
tomorrow morning and will also help lighten the atmosphere in the camp after the
recent poor results. Filippo will be accompanied by his parents and
sisters as he meets his heroes, who will be waiting for him and presumably apologise
in some way for inadvertently being the cause of his classroom teasing. For the
boy it will be an unexpected and exciting opportunity to reconcile
with his heroes. And the boost provided by meeting Filippo could inspire the players on their next mission, where a positive result is now crucial. After the crushing defeat to Bologna, Olympique Marseille in the Champions League last-16 offers them an
immediate opportunity to bounce back. (ANSA)
