Inter Milan Vice-President Javier Zanetti played a key role in facilitating the commercial deal between the Nerazzurri and Qatar Airways.
This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews.
Over the past couple of days, reports have suggested that Inter and Qatar Airways have been in advanced negotiations on a new commercial deal.
And they have now reportedly put pen to paper on the deal.
At the moment, the main aspect of the partnership sees Qatar Airways become the Nerazzurri’s official air carrier.
However, there are also potential future opportunities as well.
The most significant would be the airline potentially becoming Inter’s new main shirt sponsor in the future.
At the moment, US-based streaming service Paramount+ are the Nerazzurri’s main shirt sponsor. However, that deal only runs until the end of next June.
Therefore, if Inter and Paramount+ don’t agree terms on a new deal, the Nerazzurri could be going in search of a new main shirt sponsor as early as next summer.
And with Qatar Airways having their “foot in the door” they could well be logical candidates.
Javier Zanetti Key In Inter Milan Signing Commercial Deal With Qatar Airways
According to Tuttosport, a driving force in making this commercial partnership happen has been Inter Vice-President Javier Zanetti.
The Argentine has an important role behind the scenes for the Nerazzurri.
The fact that Zanetti is also an iconic former Inter captain could lead to suggestions that he is more of a figurehead.
The Treble-winner has not had as prominent a role in the sporting side as figures like CEO Beppe Marotta or Sporting Director Piero Ausilio.
Nor has Ausilio handled the business end as prominently as Alessandro Antonello.
However, Zanetti does make his contribution. And Tuttosport point to the deal with Qatar Airways as an example of this.
Zanetti was the man who pushed for the partnership to happen, the newspaper reports.