Inter CEO Beppe Marotta has revealed that tomorrow’s derby against AC Milan will be preceded by a minute of silence to pay tribute to ex-Nerazzurri defender Mauro Bellugi.
Speaking with Italian news outlet ANSA earlier today, Marotta thanked the Serie A for allowing the club to pay tribute to one of its heroes.
“I would like to thank the league for allowing us to remember him in the only way possible, in the game which was so crucial to his career and which he will regret not being able to follow from up there.
“We will play with a remembrance band on our arms and there will be a minute’s silence before the game.”
He commented on how the former Inter defender represented a different era of more romantic and sentimental football.
“He was a symbol of a romantic football, which has now passed away. It was made up of great passion and a sense of belonging on the one hand, patronage and family ownership on the other.
“There is the famous episode of the villa given to him by Moratti as a great recognition of his attachment.
“The players were very attached to the shirt and to the families who owned it, the sense of belonging was born from the bond with teammates, there were less transfers.”
Finally, Marotta discussed how Bellugi was still positive and in good spirits despite having his legs amputated back in December, as a result of complications stemming from a battle with Covid-19.
“I heard from him last week,’ he says, ‘even though he had lost his lower limbs he had exceptional enthusiasm and a great desire to be a hero again.
“So much so that we had given him the job of scout, ‘watch as many games as possible for us’, I recommended.
“However, he confessed to me his sadness behind that infinite courage. You know,’ he said, ‘for a footballer, losing his legs is like a pianist losing his hands.”
Bellugi sadly passed away earlier today at the age of 71, as a result of ill health. The Curva Nord have even dedicated a banner to the former Nerazzurri man, praising him for his courage.
The Italian spent the first five years of his professional career with the Milanese club, from 1969 to 1974, where he made 136 appearances across all competitions and won a league title.
Bellugi then moved onto Bologna, where he spent another five years and won a Coppa Italia with the Emilian club.