Amidst the routine buzz of presenting Mediaset`s upcoming autumn schedule, Pier Silvio Berlusconi, the CEO and son of the late, iconic Silvio Berlusconi, found his thoughts frequently returning to a different, deeply personal subject: AC Milan. Speaking late into the evening at the Cologno Monzese studios, Berlusconi Jr. fielded a range of questions, but it was the mention of the Rossoneri that truly animated him.
Back to Being 100% Rossoneri
With the recent sale of AC Monza, the football adventure spearheaded by his father and long-time collaborator Adriano Galliani has officially concluded for the Berlusconi family. Pier Silvio addressed the Monza chapter with clear-eyed pragmatism.
“The operation to sell Monza was finalized a few days ago,” he stated. “But as a family, our football journey effectively ended with Milan. My father and Galliani invented that dream, but it was *their* dream. And I say that with all the love and profound admiration I have for Galliani.”
He explained the rationale behind the sale: “There weren`t the conditions for anyone in the family to dedicate the necessary time to Monza, so it was right to take the path we did. I was tempted to try myself, but my profession and my history [as a Milan fan] made me reconsider. Now Monza has an investor who believes in the project, and I think that`s the fairest thing for the club and for us as a family.”
This transition allows him to declare his allegiance without reservation. “I have always followed Milan with great fondness,” he affirmed. “In fact, I have always remained a 100% Rossoneri fan. While living in Liguria, I developed a sympathy for Genoa, but Milan is Milan…”
Optimism for the New Direction: Allegri, Tare, and Ricci
When pressed about what went wrong during Milan`s struggles last season, Berlusconi Jr. opted for a diplomatic, albeit telling, response. “I watched little to say what didn`t happen. And from the outside, it`s difficult to go into details. But the results are plain for all to see,” he noted with a touch of understatement.
However, looking ahead to the new season, his tone shifted to one of definite approval for the club`s recent strategic moves, including the appointment of Massimiliano Allegri as coach and the arrival of sporting director Tare and midfielder Samuele Ricci.
“I greatly respect Allegri for what he did with us,” Berlusconi said, referring to the coach`s previous successful spell that included winning the club`s last Scudetto under Silvio Berlusconi in 2011. “He is good and has clear ideas. He is the right coach.”
Among the new signings, the Italian midfielder Samuele Ricci, arriving from Torino, also received a specific mention.
“Ricci is good,” he noted, adding a significant point about squad composition: “And he`s Italian. I think the choice to try and build a core group of Italians is the correct one.” This hints at a desire for a more national identity within the squad, perhaps reminiscent of successful past Milan sides.
A Wish for Rebirth: Recalling Silvio`s Dream
Berlusconi`s deepest wish for the club and its vast fanbase is a “rebirth.”
“I wish it for myself and for all the fans,” he stated. But does rebirth mean winning the Scudetto immediately?
“Let`s not say that word for now,” he cautioned, managing expectations. “It seems to me that for some years, Milan has lacked a kind of harmony. Or rather, a true sharing of a dream.”
This reflection naturally led to the towering figure of his late father, Silvio Berlusconi, and the `dream` he brought to the club in 1986.
“To achieve a great feat, especially in football, you need something more than just the will to do well,” he mused. “You need a dream, and you need to believe in your own ideas. Think about it: if Cardinale [Milan`s current owner] entered the Arena with the whole team aboard helicopters to the notes of the `Ride of the Valkyries` today… What would they say about him? They`d make fun of him every day! My father, however, was like that: unique. And he was proven right.”
Reflecting on the nearly four decades of the Berlusconi family`s involvement in football, he shared heartfelt memories.
“They were years of unique and unforgettable memories. It was beautiful, especially seeing the satisfaction in my father`s eyes for the results we achieved. Understanding that his beautiful dream was coming true so quickly: winning everything while putting on a spectacle. He left me passion and love for football, as well as many unforgettable victories. But above all, he showed me that everything he spoke of wasn`t just a dream, but something that could become reality with work. So many didn`t believe, and yet…”
Silvio Berlusconi`s presence remains constant for his son. “Always,” Pier Silvio said. “For him, I had and have infinite admiration. What he did in every field was unthinkable. And then he transmitted values, respect, and love for family to me.” He added a lighthearted touch about their working relationship: “Sometimes we argued about small things like Pardo`s beard or Papi`s red glasses frames – things he didn`t like and thought ruined a program. For the rest, though, he always let me decide for myself and never said no… He was exceptional.”
Finally, he offered a brief thought on another former Milan figure, Rino Gattuso, now coaching the Italian national team.
“I like Gattuso at least as much as Allegri,” Berlusconi offered. “I appreciate both of them technically and humanly: they are two great men and true leaders. I hope they both do well.”
As the night drew to a close, Pier Silvio Berlusconi`s comments painted a picture of a fan returning to his first love with renewed hope, endorsing the club`s current direction while deeply honouring the extraordinary legacy his father built.