Lothar's 60 years

“I know everything about Inter. It’s my team, and always will be. It’s hard to describe. When I watch them play, I have a whirlwind of emotions inside me.”

Today Lothar Matthäus turns 60. There are many memories that link him to our history, all of them special: he wore the Nerazzurri jersey from the summer of 1988 to 1992, four unforgettable seasons in which he demonstrated his talent as a modern centre-midfielder and his winning mindset:

“I always played to win. We had an exceptional side, we had heart and I think that this was the most important bit.”

His debut on 21 August 1988 was Parma vs. Inter, 2-1 to Inter in the Coppa Italia: a debut and a goal, converting a penalty in the 78th minute: his first of 53 goals that he scored for the Nerazzurri. He made 153 appearances and scored important goals in the victorious campaigns for the ’89 Scudetto and the ’91 Italian Super Cup and UEFA Cup: the historic and decisive free-kick in the Scudetto clash against Napoli, the converted penalty against Roma in the leg at San Siro before Berti’s brace which, despite the loss away from home, gave them the first UEFA Cup in Nerazzurri history.

“Being part of that team was very fun and a huge privilege. When we lifted the cup we were overjoyed, happy for ourselves and the fans. We were strong, but we were an excellent team most of all.”

And then he won the Ballon d’Or in 1990, which he brought to San Siro in the same year that he was a star, in Italy of course, of Germany’s successful World Cup campaign, having scored four goals.

“It was an amazing thrill to lift it at San Siro. I remember the stadium being full to the brim and my beaming smile. It was magical to be able to share that moment with the Nerazzurri fans: every footballer plays for his fans, it’s true, but they mean so much to me.”

“It was an amazing thrill to lift it at San Siro. I remember the stadium being full to the brim and my beaming smile. It was magical to be able to share that moment with the Nerazzurri fans: every footballer plays for his fans, it’s true, but they mean so much to me.”

The mix of talent, technical ability, strength, temperament and a leader’s mindset are what gave him a spot in the Inter Hall of Fame as the first centre-midfielder, in celebration of 110 years since Inter Milan’s founding.

Winning a Ballon d'Or in the Nerazzurri jersey, winning the World Cup with Germany, and making it into Inter's Hall of Fame: Lothar has left a mark on Inter's history forever.