Silvio Berlusconi has released an open letter after officially selling ‘his’ entire stack at Milan to the Chinese: “I will never forget the emotions that Milan have managed to give to all of us.”
After over 30 years, arguably the greatest President in the history of Milan – and perhaps the greatest in the history of football – waves goodbye to the club he saved from bankruptcy and dragged to the absolute top of Italy and of Europe.
The sale was finalized on Thursday afternoon with the last payment being made (the deal is worth a total of €830m) and the documents being signed by Han Li who (representing Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux) and Danilo Pellegrino (representing Fininvest, Milan’s holding company during the reign of il Presidente Berlusconi). After the official announcement, the former Italy PM went to Facebook to leave an open letter for the Milan fans to read.
“Today, after more than 30 years, I leave the position as President of Milan,” he wrote. “I do so with pain and emotion, but with the knowledge that in the modern game, to compete at the highest European and world levels takes investment and resources a single family can no longer support.
“I will never forget the emotions that Milan have managed to give to all of us. I’ll never forget all the people who are to thank for my being able to preside over this club which has won so much.
“First of all, of course, are the great coaches and great champions who made possible these feats which will remain forever in the history of football. Naming them one-by-one would be impossible, so a big collective hug to all of them.
The same hug goes to all of those who, in directorial roles, technical, administrative and medial roles have made Milan not just a team, but a model club in world football. Among these people, the first to be mentioned is Adriano Galliani, who was the indefatigable builder and engine of our Milan.
“Above all though, my thanks from the bottom of my heart go out to our fans. To the millions of fans who filled stadiums around the world to shout ‘Forza Milan’, for the many others who still, despite being physically far away, have been close to us in sympathy and enthusiasm.
“Without them our winning Milan wouldn’t exist and never would have existed. With them, we won everything we could win. In my eyes and my heart are the thousands of expressions of affection from our supporters, which have been extraordinary and moving.
“I want to say that, if I’m to leave all operating and representative roles I will forever be Milan’s first fan, the team my father taught me to love as a child, the dream we achieved together. To the new leaders I address the most cordial good wishes, and I hope they can achieve objectives even more extraordinary than we did.
“To those who remain; from the players, the Coach, and the employees of the club to all of our fans, I express the most affectionate wishes for great success, and I hope every one of them can achieve and every one of the dreams they hold in sport and in life.
“Once again, thank you to everyone, Silvio Berlusconi.” Thank you, Berlusconi!
Grazie Berlusconi – for all you did for Milan.
Everyone has weaknesses and flaws – the late 2000s we lost the plot with a failure to modernize/adapt.
But you singlehandedly took Milano from the doldrums of Europe in the 1980s back to the greatest heights that any club had seen until then, and introduced a new level of masterclass that became associated forever with the Red and Black – yet to be matched by any of these “superclubs” like madrid/barca/manu.
So Long – and thanks for all the fish !
Grazie Prezidente
Thank you sir! Let move on..
Let’s wait and see what happens chaps ! If Donnaruma and Romagnoli are not sold in the summer Milan’s new owners will have my support
Thank you too
I am sad.
A big thanks to you.
In the end, we remember him for the contribution he made to make Milan a great club and let go of the mistakes he made (recently)
TAHNK MISTER PRESIDENT ,FORZA MILAN
Comment: indeed today is a great day, it should be a joyful one but it remains the sadist in my memory as a red & black fan. I never in my wildest imagination though that I will one day see Berlusconi wave goodbye to us. we want to say thank you indeed you fought a good fight with and for Milan. hope our beloved Milan will certainly relive her glorious days.
Lets spend that chinese money now shall we!!!
Forza milan,Forza Galliani and Forza Berlusconi!very hard to see you leave milan but we have to face the reality of what football is today.To do Chinese,a warm welcom and hoping u won’t disappoint us.
People come and go, grazie ….
But Milan is Milan, live forever.
#forzamilan
People come and go for sure, but what he did as history, is for sure engraved well deep in the world of footballs history … Now hopefully the club would once again get to where it was and even a lot higher … Just wondering where are all the haters who were saying that this was a game/show Berlusconi was making !!! … In your face haha … Forza Milan
Thank You Sir Berlusconi For The Love,Sweat,Tears & Victories. You Deserve All The Praise Coz In The Heart Of Every Rossoneri You Remain Our Number One Fan & Champion(Grazie Silvio).
forza milan! thank u too.
Will never forget what you have done for the club. Grazie mille per tutto! <3
El presidente….mucho gracias! U are my president, through thick n thin u held d rossoneri flag high! Not one person can claim to love milan more, u carried d club, d fans n d dreams of millions on ur shoulders! I love u! Enjoy ur rest whilst still hoping and praying dat dis final act of yours is really meant to launch milan to d great future! I have my doubts abt dis Chinese but ur love is uncontestable! Gracias
Comment:you are great President indeed, history will not forget you Sir.
The man, the legend, Silvio Berlusconi – thank you for all you’ve done for AC Milan. Let’s hope Yonghong can do you proud.
Thanks berlu. Ur love for milan prevails
Grazie il Presidente, we will never forget your passion and dedication to the red and black.