75 years ago today, Mauro Bellugi was born: Inter's memory

A player and a courageous man, in love with football, Inter and life. Mauro Bellugi was all this and much more: an example of determination and grit, a symbol for all Inter fans.

Born in Buonconvento on 7 February 1950, Bellugi linked his life to the Nerazzurri colours from a very young age: he entered Inter's youth sector in 1967 and grew up under the protective wing of the Grande Inter champions and Helenio Herrera. His first-team debut came in 1969: in total, Mauro made 137 appearances with Inter, scoring a single, unforgettable goal against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the first leg of the 1971/72 Champions Cup round of 16, the year after winning the Scudetto with a marvellous comeback. A relentless stopper, a physical and gritty defender, Bellugi always remained attached to the Nerazzurri colours even after his retirement, like a fan in love.

Today, on the day Mauro would have turned 75, his joie de vivre illuminates our hearts and his memory is even more present in our thoughts.