July 06, (THEWILL) – Italian football clubs AC Milan and Monza, have announced that they will honour their deceased former owner, Silvio Berlusconi, with an annual friendly match named the Silvio Berlusconi Trophy.
The first edition of the trophy will take place at Monza’s U-Power Stadium on August 8, with the venue alternating each year. The initiative aims to pay tribute to Berlusconi, who played a significant role in the history of both clubs. Berlusconi, a divisive figure in Italian politics and media, achieved great success as a club owner, leading Milan to 29 trophies, including five UEFA Champions League and eight Serie A titles.
He later acquired Monza and helped them reach Serie A, cementing his reputation as a football management success. However, following Berlusconi’s recent passing at the age of 86, there has been speculation about the future of Monza. His eldest son, Pier Silvio Berlusconi, stated that the family intends to preserve his father’s dream, with Adriano Galliani, a longtime ally of Berlusconi, playing a central role in the club’s future.
Pier Silvio and his sister, Marina Berlusconi, are set to take joint control of their father’s holding company, Fininvest, and increase their stake to 53 percent. Marina, who has been the President of Fininvest since 2005, oversees various companies including MediaForEurope, Mondadori, and Mediolanum bank.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
