MELBOURNE – Just because you live a long way from Milan doesn't mean you can't support Inter with passion and pride. Michael Valenzisi does just that – from 16,000 km away.
Michael is the press officer at Inter Club Victoria in Australia. We spoke to him about how he became an Inter fan and what it means to him to be part of the Inter Club family.
When did you start supporting Inter?
“I fell in love with Inter when my granddad brought me an Inter cap back from Italy one time. I was six at the time. Then in 2005 I went to see my relatives in Calabria and there were loads of Inter fans there. My relatives are too. Their passion rubbed off on me and that's when I became Nerazzurri through and through.”
Who's your favourite Inter player of all time?
“Adriano, the Emperor. It was amazing to watch him play and he made me love the club even more. My first Inter shirt obviously had his number on it!”
What does Nerazzurri DNA mean to you?
“It means being an Inter Club member and being officially recognised as an Inter supporter. My friends think I'm crazy because I'm so far away but I see it as a reason to feel even prouder.”
Why don't you set up an Inter Club with a group of friends in your own town?