Inter and the Club World Cup: our 2010 triumph

Inter are back involved in the Club World Cup, a competition the Nerazzurri are already familiar with and one that brings with it sweet memories for all Inter fans. Memories that tell the story of Inter on top of the world following a magical and unforgettable year filled with trophies and matches that became part of Nerazzurri legend.

14 years have passed since December 2010, and the competition format has now changed significantly. In 2025, Inter will be one of the teams participating in the first edition of the new FIFA Club World Cup, a tournament that will feature 32 teams from around the globe.

It’s an opportunity to reflect on those unforgettable moments where Inter became world champions at club level after an exciting and prestigious tournament.

THE SEMI-FINAL AGAINST SEONGNAM

Until 2004, the Intercontinental Cup was a one-off clash between the winners of the UEFA Champions League and the Copa Libertadores. In 2005, the FIFA Club World Cup was inaugurated, expanding the competition to include the champions of the CONCACAF Champions League (North America, Central America and the Caribbean), CAF Champions League (Africa), AFC Champions League (Asia), and OFC Champions League (Oceania). Additionally, since 2007, there has been the participation of the winner of the host nation's domestic league.

In 2010, the competition was held in the United Arab Emirates: Inter, the reigning European champions after their 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich in Madrid, began the tournament in the semi-finals. The Nerazzurri faced Seongnam, a South Korean team that had won the AFC Champions League and eliminated the hosts, Al-Wahda, in the quarters. On 15 December, Inter won 3-0 thanks to goals from Stanković, Zanetti, and Milito. The tournament started in the best possible way for the Nerazzurri, who were back competing to become club world champions 45 years on from when Helenio Herrera's Grande Inter defeated Independiente for a second consecutive year.

THE FINAL AGAINST MAZEMBE

The Club World Cup has been filled with surprises since its inception: in 2010, it was the turn of Tout Puissant Mazembe, a team based in Lubumbashi. Back then, the champions of the DR Congo and the CAF Champions League reached the final against Inter after beating Mexican side Pachuca in the quarter-finals and, rather impressively, Brazilian outfit Internacional in the semis. Inter took to the pitch with the following line-up: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Cordoba, Chivu; Zanetti, Cambiasso, Thiago Motta; Eto'o, Pandev, Milito. The Nerazzurri opened the scoring after 13 minutes: Eto'o picked out Pandev, who beat Kidiaba with his left foot. Samuel Eto'o then went from provider to goalscorer, with his celebration going down in Nerazzurri history. The Cameroonian ran towards the bench, where Marco Materazzi handed him two white shopping bags and lifted him in triumph. Biabiany, who had come through the Inter Youth Sector then added a third, with the 22-year-old bagging his first Nerazzurri goal on the day Inter were crowned champions of the world.

Then came a long-awaited moment: the trophy presentation. Javier Zanetti lifted the Club's fifth trophy of 2010 and did so wearing the shirt of Walter Samuel, who was out with a serious knee injury. "No Italian team has ever done what Inter have done in 2010, and every Nerazzurri fan should be proud of this team. The only one missing is Walter Samuel, to whom we dedicate tonight's victory," said the Nerazzurri captain that evening.

2010 FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP

Qualifying round Al-Wahda (UAE) 3-0 Hekari United (PNG) Quarter-finals Al-Wahda (UAE) 1-4 Seongnam (KOR) TP Mazembe (COD) 1-0 Pachuca (MEX) Semi-finals Seongnam (KOR) 0-3 INTER TP Mazembe (COD) 2-0 Internacional (BRA) Final INTER 3-0 TP Mazembe (COD)