Sandro Mazzola
One of the most iconic and legendary players in Nerazzurri history, the man who scored a brace to secure the Club’s first European Cup in 1964. He now enters the Nerazzurri Hall of Fame, which has reached its fifth edition, in the midfielders category: a trequartista with goals in his blood, who later successfully adapted to a deeper role on the pitch.
A nostalgic and heavy legacy, a burden on both heart and shoulders that he had to carry from childhood. Sandrino was not yet seven years old when the Grande Torino era came to an end with the tragedy on the hill of Superga. His father, Valentino, is considered by many to have been the greatest Italian footballer of all time. Without making comparisons, Alessandro — known to everyone as Sandro — born on November 8, 1942, always had to live up to a surname and destiny of enormous significance.
Football became his remedy. Benito Lorenzi and Giuseppe Meazza nurtured him in Inter’s youth academy, and Sandro immediately showed extraordinary talent. His debut for the Nerazzurri came on a historic day in its own way. On June 10, 1961, Mazzola made his Serie A debut at the age of 18 against Juventus, when Angelo Moratti decided to field the Primavera team as a form of protest. Juventus won 9-1, but Inter’s only goal was scored by Mazzola himself. It was the beginning of a legend.
With Helenio Herrera in charge, Inter won everything. Mazzola became one of the key figures of the Grande Inter, the fourth-to-last surname in the famous rhyme that began with Sarti, Burgnich, Facchetti.
In 1964, he cemented his status with one of the greatest and most unique performances in Italian football history: at the Prater Stadium in Vienna, Inter defeated Real Madrid 3-1 in the European Cup final. Mazzola scored twice on a magical night that remains immortal to this day. Skill, goals, assists — Mazzola could do it all. Four Serie A titles, two European Cups, two Intercontinental Cups, the Serie A top scorer award (in 1965 with 17 goals), and the European Cup top scorer title (7 goals in 1964). He also finished runner-up in the 1971 Ballon d’Or behind Johan Cruyff.
After winning the league title, Inter also captured the European Cup in 1964, the first in the Club’s history. In the final against Real Madrid, led by Puskás and Di Stéfano, Mazzola scored the decisive brace in the 3-1 victory. At the end of the season came the first Intercontinental Cup against Independiente. He also scored against the Argentinians in the return leg, won 2-0 in Milan.
His list of honors includes four league titles, two European Cups, two Intercontinental Cups, the Serie A top scorer award in 1965 (17 goals), the European Cup top scorer title in 1964 (7 goals), and second place in the 1971 Ballon d’Or behind Johan Cruyff.