The tribute to Maradona from Berlusconi’s new club, who tries to position himself in Italian football and dreams of an Argentine

In the preview of the match between the Naples and the Monza in the stadium Diego Maradona, which ended 4-0 in favor of the locals, a particular gesture of the host club’s management caught the attention of locals and strangers. It’s about a new tribute for the Argentine starwho knew how to live his best sporting years in the southern city of the Italian peninsula.

The memory of Fluff it is more relevant than ever. This is clear. For this reason, a few hours before the duel for the second round of Serie A, Adriano Gallianistage director who recently rose to the top flight, visited a mural dedicated to the Argentine in the Spanish quarter of Naples and left a very special gift.

The strong man of Silvio Berlusconi, owner of Monza, He hung a jersey of the Lombard team with the 10 on his back Along with many others who were in that place in honor of the Argentine. In the background, crowning the scene, a mural by Diego with the shirts of Boca, Nápoli and the Argentine national team.

In addition, he left a scarf with the club’s inscriptions. The gesture was very well received by the community.who waited impatiently for the 78-year-old Italian leader around the historic mural and greeted him with applause.

The visit of Adriano Galliano is not a small event. Maradona’s Napoli was one of Milan’s greatest opponents, of which Galliani was coach, between the end of the 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s. For this reason, the current Italian senator and entrepreneur referred to the sports competition at the time of the tribute. A nod to a rival who was up to the task.

AC Monza: a particular story

A few months ago a small Lombard club recently promoted to Serie A was interested in signing Mauro Icardi, the Argentine striker relegated from Paris Saint Germain. Many immediately asked themselves: who is behind this club that had never played before in the top flight of Italian football?

You will have to travel until 1 July 2019, when Silvio Berlusconi bought the SSD Monza through its holding company, for 3 million euros. Soon after, she decided to change her name to Monza Calcio Association.

Until then, the club was known for spending several seasons in Serie B and going through financial crises. Even two failures. The most recent in 2015, which forced him to disappear from professional football; and the previous one, in 2004.

The arrival of The Knight for the Lombard group founded in 1912 it meant an important financial injection. Adriano Galliani, a trusted man who was able to support Berlusconi at Milan, was appointed vice president and CEO. And his brother, Paolo Berlusconi, became president.

The promotion was not achieved in the first season, after finishing fifth in Serie C. But in the following season, pushed by the coronavirus pandemic and the 14 million euros invested in reinforcements and installationsThey managed to go up to Serie B.

In the 2020/2021 season the big dream was to go up to the First Division. Monza finished in third place but fell in Cittadella in Play-off. The following year they tried everything. In 2021/2022 They finished in fourth place and had to participate in knockout duels for a place in the highest category. In the end, after beating Pisa, they managed to reach Serie A.

“This is a great joy. Monza was founded in 1912 and had never made it to Serie A. Today we are and Monza has the team it deserves and that next year will face the greats of the Italian league ”, were Berlusconi’s words. And then, another somewhat optimistic goal was set: “Now we want to win the Scudetto and go to the Champions League“.

After guiding the destinies of Milan for 31 years, where he won 29 titles, The Knight he sold the club for 740 million euros to a Chinese investment group. And now, he’s back for glory.

Interest in Icardi

The first days of July, the Monza he alerted the market with his interest in Mauro Icardi. The club that Berlusconi acquired in 2018 reached the top flight in just 4 years. And at that moment he entered the game for the Argentine striker who knew how to shine at Inter.

“It would be a great opportunity to have him (Icardi) at Monza. Imagine what a story if he scores against Inter. Maybe … But don’t let me go any further. I have faith in (Adriano) Galliani (Monza sporting director),” he declared in that moment Pier Silvio Berlusconi, son of the former Italian president. “I say it’s out of our reach, but it’s not impossible“he clarified.

Icardi has a contract with Paris Saint Germain until June 2024. However, the club from the French capital would not stand in the way if they received a good offer for the transfer of the Argentine striker. The season ticket market in Italy closes on September 1st at 11:59 pm.

For this reason, the son of Galliani and Berlusconi moved to try to convince the 29-year-old from Rosario. They had even contacted Wanda Nara to negotiate the footballer’s contract.

Icardi has a salary of 10 million euros, a figure too high for the Lombard club. Although a variant was discussed: compensating for the salary with Nara’s participation in one of the many television programs run by the Berlusconi family. The footballer’s wife has already participated in some Italian shows, such as Big Brother Vip and Tiki Taka. For now, that deal has been suspended. But there is still time …