Sandro Mazzola enters the Inter Hall of Fame

Sandro Mazzola enters the Inter Hall of Fame. One of the most iconic and legendary players in Nerazzurri history, the man who secured the club's first European Cup in 1964 with a brace. He makes his way into the Nerazzurri Hall of Fame, now in its fifth edition, in the midfielder category: he, a centre forward with an instinct for goal, was then able to move back into this position. This is the third induction into the Hall of Fame in the 2022 edition, after Ivano Bordon and Maicon. Still to come is the final missing announcement, that of a forward.

So the progress towards the completion of the announcements for 2022 continues, with the Inter champions voted in by the Nerazzurri fans last autumn. Mazzola is the fifth midfielder to enter the Inter Hall of Fame. Before him Matthaus, Stankovic, Cambiasso and Sneijder.

A nostalgic and heavy legacy, a burden on the heart and on the pitch to be carried since childhood. Sandrino wasn't even 7 years-old when the epic legacy of the Grande Torino ended with the crash on the Superga hill. His father Valentino, according to many, was the greatest Italian footballer of all time. Without making rankings, Alessandro, for everyone Sandro, born on 8 November 1942, has always had to cope with a star-studded surname and destiny.

Football as a cure. Benito Lorenzi and Giuseppe Meazza brought him up in Inter's youth academy and Sandro immediately showed his outstanding quality. His Nerazzurri debut was on a day that was historic in its own way. On 10 June 1961, Mazzola made his Serie A debut at the age of 18 in the match against Juventus, when Angelo Moratti decided to field the Primavera team in protest. It ended 9-1 to the Bianconeri and for Inter, the only goal, was scored by Mazzola himself. The beginning of a legend.

With Helenio Herrera at the helm, Inter won everything. Mazzola was one of the components of the Great Inter, the fourth name in the famous nursery rhyme that began with Sarti, Burgnich, Facchetti.

In 1964, he wrote himself into Inter history books with one of the most important and unique performances in the history of Italian football: at the Prater in Vienna, Inter beat Real Madrid 3-1 in the Champions Cup final. Mazzola scored a brace, in a magical night that remains an immortal memory today. Finishes, goals, assists: Mazzola did it all. Four Scudetti, two Champions Cups, 2 Intercontinental Cups, top scorer in Serie A (in 1965 with 17 goals) and in the European Cup (7 goals in 1964). Second in the 1971 Ballon d'Or behind Johan Cruyff.

After the championship, came the European Cup in 1964, the first won by Inter. In the final against Real Madrid of Puskas and Di Stefano, he scored the crucial brace in the 3-1 win. At the end of the season, there was also the first Intercontinental Cup against Independiente. He scored against the Argentinians in the return match won 2-0 in Milan.

In his tophy cabinet, there are 4 league titles, 2 European Cups, 2 Intercontinental Cups, a top scorer title in Italy in 1965 (17 goals), one in the Champions League in 1964 (7 goals) and a second place in the 1971 Golden Ball award behind Johan Cruyff.

Seventeen seasons as a Nerazzurri, 565 official matches, 158 goals. A bond with Inter that never ended, with a career as a manager and then as sporting director. A legend, unique and unparalleled. The 'baffo', Sandro Mazzola, his number 8 shirt (and at times the number 10). Forever in Nerazzurri history, with induction into the Hall of Fame.

INTER HALL OF FAME: THE GOLDEN LIST

2018 Edition: Walter Zenga; Javier Zanetti; Lothar Matthäus; Ronaldo. 2019 Edition: Francesco Toldo; Giacinto Facchetti; Dejan Stankovic; Giuseppe Meazza. 2020 Edition: Julio Cesar; Giuseppe Bergomi; Esteban Cambiasso; Diego Milito. 2021 Edition: Gianluca Pagliuca, Marco Materazzi, Wesley Sneijder, Samuel Eto'o. 2022 Edition: Ivano Bordon, Maicon, Sandro Mazzola.