Inter CEO Beppe Marotta suggested that ‘certain values’ are needed to wear the captain’s armband and shared his frustration with the slow progress of the new stadium project.
The Nerazzurri, working with intercity rivals Milan, are hoping to leave the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in the coming years in order to move into their own custom-built stadium, which’ll give them greater control over commercial activities and match-day revenues.
The current stadium in San Siro is owned by the Municipality of Milan and is starting to grow tired, despite it’s iconic status.
Speaking at a CONI event, Marotta first discussed what the captain’s armband means to Inter. Milan Skriniar started the season wearing it but it was handed to Lautaro Martinez following the news that the defender wouldn’t be renewing his contract.
“If certain values are not received, one cannot aspire to be a candidate for the captain’s armband. The values in question are the sense of belonging, the love for the club, and a whole series of situations that are fundamental.”
The Inter CEO then touched on his frustrations with the slow bureaucracy surrounding the club’s new stadium project with Milan.
“Everything is simpler abroad, the construction of a stadium is considered a national element. In our case, on the other hand, reference is made to the land, and therefore you have to go through a very slow process of analysis.
“This causes further problems to arise over time, which have not led to everything becoming more fluid.”
He commented on how greater work is needed to help young Italians in sports.
“Sport after religion is the most relevant aggregation phenomenon, a container of great values, and these values represent a heritage for the boys of today who will be the men of tomorrow. And they must be managed with competence and experience by managers and coaches.
“Sporting Italy needs adequate structures, and when I speak of structures, I’m not only referring to large stadiums, large works, but also small works: gyms, gyms in schools.
“It’s a path that as Italians we must explore in the best possible way, and I am certain that today with the advent of the Ministry of Sport and a well-prepared person like Andrea Abodi we can overcome this handicap.
“And among the handicaps, let’s also include the difficulties in building great works such as stadiums.”
Marotta was then asked if this topic is something he’d like to take further politically.
“Today I am at Inter.”
Finally, Marotta was asked if he was optimistic about Hakan Calhanoglu and Alessandro Bastoni’s contract renewals.
“Always, always…”