June 12, (THEWILL) – Italian business magnate, media tycoon, and former Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, has passed away at the age of 86 after a courageous battle with myelomonocytic leukaemia.
Berlusconi, who had acquired ownership of AC Milan in 1986, played a pivotal role in reviving the fortunes of the football club. Under Berlusconi’s guidance, AC Milan quickly rose to prominence in European football. The acquisition of Dutch trio, Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, and Frank Rijkaard, along with the appointment of visionary managers, Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello, contributed to the team’s dominance in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The club achieved remarkable success during this period, clinching three European Cups/UEFA Champions Leagues, four Serie A titles, and two Intercontinental Cups. Notably, under Capello’s leadership, Milan embarked on an extraordinary unbeaten run of 58 matches between 1991 and 1993, earning them the moniker ‘Gli invinibili’ (The Invincibles).
During Berlusconi’s tenure as owner and president, AC Milan amassed an impressive total of 29 trophies, including five European Cups. In 2017, Berlusconi decided to part ways with the club, selling it to Rossoneri Sport Luxembourg for a reported sum of €740m. Despite the change in ownership, Berlusconi’s impact on AC Milan will forever be remembered as a significant chapter in the club’s illustrious history.
Following the sale of AC Milan, Berlusconi remained actively involved in football, purchasing Monza in 2018. Under his stewardship, the club experienced remarkable success, securing promotions from Serie C all the way to Serie A. Monza’s strong performance in the 2022/2023 season further solidified their place in the top flight of Italian football, serving as a testament to Berlusconi’s enduring influence on the sport.
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.
