MILAN – Many happy returns to our President, also on behalf of the millions of Inter fans throughout the world.
A boy in China once told us he didn't have a favourite player and if he had to choose one Nerazzurri hero above the others it would be Massimo Moratti. "Because the President represents every one of us," he remarked candidly.
Those few words contain a profound sentiment and an awareness of the passion and enthusiasm Massimo Moratti puts into his job of guiding Inter. It's not always an easy job, but the President enjoys a challenge; he never thinks anything is too difficult. And he has overcome his fair share of challenges in 17 years at the helm of the club, winning 16 trophies with the first team and six with the Primavera. Doing so fairly, politely, intelligently and with a sense of humour and proportion that never goes amiss in a world where nearly everything is taken too seriously.
He has not been alone in this Nerazzurri adventure of his; he's been through it with his nearest and dearest – Milly, their five children, their grandson Alessandro. He still remembers watching his father Angelo's Great Inter side, a childhood love: history has repeated itself and not only in terms of the success achieved.
A marvellous, immense story - one we would all like to live. And one that he has lived spontaneously and honestly.
Happy birthday, President Moratti.
Susanna Wermelinger
