Marotta names the ‘one true champion’ currently playing in Serie A | OneFootball

Inter President Beppe Marotta believes that Serie A has become a ‘transitional’ league, and claims that the division currently has ‘one true champion’, currently playing for rivals Milan.

Marotta on need for new stadiums and the ‘one true champion’ in Serie A

Marotta received an honorary degree from the Universita degli Studi di Milano Bicocca on Thursday, and spoke about the state of the league and the need for new stadiums on the day of his ceremony.

He believes that the need for new stadiums reflects the current state of the league overall, claiming ‘our product has decreased in value’.

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – MAY 04: Giuseppe Marotta, Sports CEO of FC Internazionale, looks on prior to the Serie A TIM match between US Sassuolo and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on May 04, 2024 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Inter and Milan are currently waiting to hear back from the city council over a proposed sale of the San Siro site, including the iconic Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. If the city council agree to sell the ground and the surrounding area to Inter and Milan, it is understood that the clubs will seek to demolish around 90% of the stadium to make way for a new, state-of-the-art venue.

“We have a big problem with stadiums and also with entertainment in Italy. Ours is a transitional league, in which the players, unfortunately, pass through,” the Inter executive said.

As things stand, Marotta believes that Milan’s Luka Modric is the only ‘true champion’ currently playing in Serie A.

“Today in Serie A we have one player, in my opinion, who is a true champion, namely Luka Modric, who, however, came here at the age of 40.”

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: Luka Modric of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Returning to the topic of stadiums and the need for improved infrastructure, Marotta pointed to his time at Juventus and the construction of the Allianz Stadium.

“In 2010, I attended the inauguration of the Juventus Stadium. In 2011, we left the Stadio Olimpico Grande. And coincidentally, we won seven consecutive championships in the following seven years. It’s a modern stadium that met all fan requirements.

Allianz Juventus Stadium (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

“Today, that stadium in Turin guarantees the future of the club. I won’t go into detail today about what’s happening in Milan with regards to the stadium.

“The city needs a new, modern stadium. Right now, we are not among the potential host cities for Euro 2032.”