AC Milan’s 125th anniversary celebration was marked by a star-studded event that brought together legends of the club’s illustrious history. Among the luminaries present was Zlatan Ibrahimovic, now serving as Senior Advisor to RedBird, who took the opportunity to express his deep affection for the Rossoneri.
Speaking from the stage at the gala, Ibrahimovic shared his sentiments: “For me, Milan is very, very special. I am very honored to be here. In this room, there is so much history among players and employees. I was fortunate to have played for Milan and to have won with this shirt, even if not like others here who have won much more than me.”
The Swedish icon continued, emphasizing his connection to the club: “I am very honored to be here and to be a Milan fan. So many emotions pass. Milan is a big family and I am honored to feel part of it.”
The celebration at San Siro on Sunday evening was a spectacle of red and black, with 70,000 fans in attendance ready to honor the invited legends. The event, however, was not without controversy, as notable absences included Paolo Maldini, who declined to participate in a celebration organized by RedBird, while Zvonimir Boban and Gianni Rivera were reportedly not invited.
The evening’s proceedings began at 19:45 with a special ceremony inducting Rossoneri legends into the AC Milan Hall of Fame. Marco van Basten, Filippo Inzaghi, and Andriy Shevchenko joined Honorary Vice President Franco Baresi, the first official member of the Hall of Fame, in the section dedicated to players who have made the most significant contributions to the club’s history. On the San Siro pitch, Baresi, van Basten, and Inzaghi received a special trophy created for the occasion by Tiffany & Co., marking a first in Italian football history.
Around 20:30, a parade of Milan legends took to the field, including Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit, Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini, Alexandre Pato, Clarence Seedorf, and many others. The stadium came alive with choreography and light shows, accompanied by the music of Meduza, following a commemorative video created by the club to celebrate its 125 years of history.
The Curva Sud, Milan’s passionate fan section, displayed a banner reading: “December 16, 1899, for 125 years our great love,” encapsulating the enduring devotion of the Rossoneri faithful.
