Sandro Mazzola dies, the Inter legend who tormented Madrid

A tragic news shook the Italian football world during the night: Sandro Mazzola, legendary Inter forward and son of Valentino, captain of the Grande Torino, died at 83 after a long illness.

A career full of trophies

Mazzola wore the Milanese club's shirt for 17 seasons, from 1960 to 1977, and won practically everything: 4 scudetti, 2 European Cups, 2 Intercontinental Cups and the 1968 European Championship with the Italian national team. He was a symbol of the nerazzurri, especially during the era of Helenio Herrera.

With the national team, he won the 1968 European Championship at home, playing both matches of the tournament that featured only four nations. Two years later he was part of the squad that lost the World Cup final to Brazil, amassing 70 caps and 22 goals.

Legacy off the pitch

Son of Valentino Mazzola, who died in the 1949 air disaster that wiped out the Grande Torino when Sandro was six, the forward became one of the biggest figures of the 1960s and 1970s. He retired in 1977 at 35 and later worked as an executive and coach at Inter, Genoa and Torino.

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In addition, he was a co‑commentator for RAI, and his voice accompanied Italy's victories in the 1982 and 2006 World Cups. In 1971 he finished second in the Ballon d'Or voting, behind Johan Cruyff.

AC Milan expressed its condolences in a statement, describing Mazzola as “historic and loyal rival, legend of Inter and of the National, protagonist of Italian football history” and emphasizing that “he represented an unforgettable era of our football.”

Inter announced the death during the night and recalled that the club will play tonight at 18:00 a visit to AS Roma in Serie A, while it joins the Mazzola family and the nerazzurri fans in grief.