A number of important figures in Italian football have paid tribute to Silvio Berlusconi, who sadly passed away on Monday morning. The former Milan and Monza president had been undergoing treatment for a lung infection linked to a chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia.
His close friend and Monza CEO Adriano Galliani said:
“Distraught, speechless, with immense sorrow I mourn the friend, the master of everything, the person who changed my life for over 43 years. Rest in peace dear President. With much, much love. Adriano Galliani.”
Azzurri coach Roberto Mancini said of Berlusconi’s passing:
“A great sorrow for everyone because Berlusconi was an extraordinary man for sports and politics. Today is an extraordinary day. I remember that in a derby that we won, he came into the locker room to congratulate us because he was also very sporty. There are so many memories, almost my whole career is linked to Berlusconi president of Milan, consequently it is really a sad, difficult day for Italy because he represented so much. Did he ever want me? He had better players.”
Finally, Inter president Steven Zhang released a statement expressing his condolences:
“President Steven Zhang and all of FC Internazionale Milano express their deep condolences on the passing of President Silvio Berlusconi. His figure has left an indelible mark in the history of our country. The challenges between Inter and his Milan team made the city of Milan the heart of world football.”
