Inter Hall of Fame: Special award for Peppino Prisco

For embodying Inter, for his dedication to the shirt, for exuding withintelligence and love for the game, for always having a smile on his face and for being ready to make a joke. For having played a crucial role in Inter’s history as a lawyer, manager, and fan, and for having suffered during the Second World War while serving as a member of the Alpini. 

'Peppino Prisco, score us a goal,' as the chant goes. He's the biggest Interesta of all. We've been without him for 20 years, and we've felt the absence of so much of what he had to offer; his jokes, dedication to the cause, general niceness, considered thinking, sound judgement, and knack of knowing when to launch a stinging attack or to ease things with a warm smile. Last December Inter paid homage to Prisco on the 100th anniversary of his birth and the 20th since he had passed.

Now Giuseppe Prisco - known to all as Peppino - is being inducted into the FC Internazionale Milano Hall of Fame, receiving a special award. In what is the fourth edition of inductions into the Hall of Fame, this is an acknowledgement of Prisco's contributions - which equal that of Nerazzurri players - as he becomes part of a select group of individuals whose contribution goes beyond mere sporting achievements and includes off-the-field feats which go beyond mere fandom.

The 2021 edition of the Hall of Fame has already seen four legends join its ranks: Gianluca Pagliuca, Marco Materazzi, Wesley Sneijder and Samuel Eto'o. We're now into the fourth edition and Prisco now joins the aforementioned in the Hall of Fame receiving a special prize. Other important figures to have received the same recognition are the Moratti family in 2018, Astutillo Malgioglio in 2019 (given the BUU Award) and Ernesto Pellegrini in 2020.

For the first time the special award has been given through a fan vote. A poll was created on Socios.com, the Global Main Partner of the club, and holders of Fan Token $INTER cast their vote with a choice of four candidates. Prisco, the legendary lawyer and manager of the club, was picked ahead of the Policlinico of Milano for their fantastic contributions in the fight against Covid-19, Claudio Bertazzi, president of Inter Club Desenzano del Garda, and Enzo Bernasconi, Inter Club Tri Basei member (read more about the candidates here.)

Prisco has made his mark over the course of a century with the Nerazzurri, being dubbed 'the greatest Inter fan of all time.' He was a second lieutenant in the Alpini during a campaign in Russia, a smart lawyer, vice-president, but at his core he was a diehard Inter fan. Adored by the San Siro faithful and opposition supporters alike for his smiling and joking demeanour, who put Inter ahead of everything else.

The award will be given to Peppino's son Luigi Maria Prisco at San Siro before Inter v Salernitana, a match which will also see Gianluca Pagliuca, Marco Materazzi, Wesley Sneijder, and Samuel Eto'o be presented as new Hall of Fame members.   

A CENTURY OF PRISCO: PHOTOS AND MEMORIES OF THE INTER CLUB LAWYER