14 December 1940: Ernesto Pellegrini's birthday

Sometimes, sparks fly and it's love at first sight. For Ernesto Pellegrini, Inter was exactly that.

It all began on 4 April 1954, at a packed Inter vs Juventus. He was just 14 years old and, even though he could barely see the pitch, he was captivated by the Nerazzurri’s 6–0 win and the sheer class of Nacka Skoglund. From that moment on, a lifelong passion was born.

Born in Milan on 14 December 1940, Pellegrini turned that childhood dream into reality in 1984, when he became the 17th president in Inter’s history. His eleven years at the helm were defined by unforgettable triumphs: the record-breaking Scudetto of 1988/89, the Italian Supercoppa, and two UEFA Cups, in 1991 and 1994. It was the era of the “German Inter,” of Trapattoni, and of a team forever etched into the club’s collective memory.

A successful entrepreneur and a man of great generosity, Pellegrini always paired sporting success with a strong commitment to social causes, through the Pellegrini Foundation and the Ruben restaurant – tangible expressions of solidarity and dignity.

In 2020, Inter honoured him with the Special Award of the Nerazzurri Hall of Fame.

Today, Ernesto Pellegrini would have turned 85. His love for Inter remains an indelible chapter in our history.