Angelo Boniperti, son of Juventus legend Giampiero Boniperti has explained the circumstances when his father decided to reject the offer of Inter President Angelo Moratti.

Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in today’s print edition, he explained that the legendary former Bianconeri striker respected the Nerazzurri and in particular Vice-President Giuseppe Prisco, but that he did not feel that he could betray the Bianconeri.

Boniperti is one of Juventus’s most iconic players, having been a key man for fifteen seasons while also establishing a strong reputation with the Italian national team.

The regard in which he was held meant that he was also approached by the Nerazzurri, who had hoped that they could bring in one of the top strikers in the country.

As Boniperti’s son Angelo explains, however, the striker ultimately felt that he would not be able to play for a major rival of the club with which he spent his entire career.

On Boniperti’s relationship with Inter he stated, “I don’t know if he would be comfortable with today’s football. Once there was teasing but then it all ended there. Now I see exaggerated hatreds and this is unpleasant. Inter were a rival on the pitch, but my father has always had excellent relations with all their Presidents.”

“When he decided to retire,” he went on, “Angelo Moratti made him an indispensable offer to take him to the Nerazzurri but he refused – he was Bianconeri inside.”

“He was linked to Massimo by a great friendship and as long as he was there when he didn’t win with Juve he was sorry if Inter didn’t. My father was looking for purity, enthusiasm, and spirit in football,” he explained.

Of Boniperti’s relationship with Prisco he stated, “My father loved him because he was edgy and funny. He liked his way of being facetious. They respected each other because they looked alike, they shared the same values.”

“Two fantastic characters with a unique style,” he went on. “They also shared the fact that they were both Alpini. With Prisco the two always met in the locker room before the game – a handshake and then the bursts of jokes started. Listening to them was a spectacle, but it was another football.”