Inter 117, a sign of excellence | OneFootball

"Being Nerazzurri is an achievement, a sign of excellence..."

The essence of this Giacinto Facchetti quote doesn’t only apply to him, but its deeper meaning unites every Inter fan. It is a bond that you don’t only feel in your heart, but also in your mind, in your personality, with the sacrifice and love for a shirt that represents more than just a team: one city, one country, millions of fans, a symbol of a story that has grown over 117 years.

The club was born on 9 March 1908 and the captain’s armband, which has been passed on over the years, represents our leadership which has gone on for generations. Every captain brought something different, something unique, but they all had something in common: the unconditional love and passion for Inter. It’s not all about winning trophies or being a role model on the pitch, but rather being part of a legacy that goes beyond football itself. On the day of Inter’s 117th birthday, we are going to present 14 of our captains that have written themselves into our history books. For this occasion, they are all repping this year’s home shirt, uniting our great legends of the past with today’s champions!

Virgilio Fossati wasour heroic captain in the club’s early years who guided us to our first Scudetto, bringing the club to the top level. He was a war hero, born in Milan, and the first ever Nerazzurro to play for Italy. His leadership style was based on humility, talent and steadiness. He was one of the first to embody that Interista passion which burns in the heart of our many fans today.

Giuseppe Meazza, or the “Balilla”, as he was renamed by his first captain, Leopoldo Conti, will always be a legend and part of Inter history with his talent and ability to impact every game, racking up 284 majestic goals throughout his time as a Nerazzurro. His career rewrote what was possible in football, making Inter an unforgettable team. Meazza didn’t only represent football greatness, but he answered Inter fan’s dreams with his blend of passion and class.

Armando Picchi, captain and player-manager, whose tenacity and tactical intelligence forged his name into Nerazzurri history. He was strong, incredibly fast and unbeatable, able to move in unison and always ready to give his all to support a teammate. Under his guidance, Inter learnt to defend in a well-organized and aggressive manner before countering with impeccable attacking force. His ability to read the game and to calmly guide the squad with determination made Inter one of the top clubs in World football.

Sandro Mazzola, son of the great Valentino, and a symbol of a generation who saw football as a sacred mission. He led the squad with his aggressive spirit and his perfect class. Mazzola was the living embodiment of Inter: he was always there at the right time, and with his sublime technique, he left an unforgettable trace on the history of the club.

Giacinto Facchetti, perhaps like no other, knew how to show Inter’s true essence. His elegance on the field, combined with his inner strength, made Facchetti the link between two eras: from the early days of Grande Inter until the end of the 70s. His ability to combine his power, technique, ability, selflessness and fair play on the field captivated two generations of Inter fans.

Graziano Bini, a figure that helped bring Inter to the very top thanks to his courage and determination. He symbolised the love for the shirt in a period where Inter were trying to get back to their previous heights. His drive and passion pushed the Nerazzurri to tasting sweet victory once again.

Alessandro Altobelli, or the “Spillo”, is a timeless name who is in the heart of every single Inter fan. With him, Inter had many glorious moments and he perfectly embodied this unrelenting passion which is the essence of our club. He was classy and a true goalscorer, totalling 209 in Nerazzurri colours. With his hard work and dedication, he was always focused on winning, and, above all, on doing his best for Inter.

Giuseppe Baresi, the Inter captain who had to pick himself up after a few tough years. His solid and calm leadership guided the squad in the 80s. He exemplified love for the badge and he always stood up to every challenge ahead of him.

Giuseppe Bergomi, the captain in the 80s and 90s, known as the “Beppe" or “lo Zio”, who guided Inter to many wins like in 1989, despite the many battles in between. He always gave his all for the badge, right until the very last. His unrelenting spirit, his on-field presence and his courage has made him a legend in Inter history.

Javier Zanetti, the eternal captain. With him, Inter reached historic heights, he won the Champions League and he excelled in Italy, Europe and around the World. His dedication, throughout the good and the bad, made him a much-loved character for all generations of Inter fans. Zanetti made every game a battle and he approached them with dignity, pride but also with the utmost respect for the opposition.

Andrea Ranocchia, the captain who always stepped up even in the club’s difficult periods. His talent and human skills allowed him to guide the squad with courage and determination. His leadership was visible to all and he approached every match with this same mindset.

Mauro Icardi, the captain of difficult seasons and difficult challenges but he approached them all fearlessly. His relentless goal scoring ability drove many to truly believe that Inter could reach their previous heights. He was a captain who made fans believe again, with his attacking presence and his ability to drive the team forward, goal after goal.

Samir Handanović, and his silent strength. His steadiness, his constant drive for technical perfection and his relentlessness transformed Inter into a side that were very tough to beat. With him, every penalty or shot saved made fans full of joy. Handanović led the team into a new age of victories which began with the Nerazzurri’s 19th Scudetto win. He perfectly captured Inter passion in a modern era, but with the same attributes of our great past captains.

Lautaro Martínez, the captain of today and of the future. With his grit, his hard work, his passion and his pure class, Lautaro represents the Inter of today who continue to fight for the dreams that have been built up bit by bit, win by win, over the years. His aggression and his love for the badge and his teammates are a sign that he has continued the tradition of Inter’s all-time great captains.

Every captain who has worn the armband, from Fossati to Lautaro, have given their all for Inter. Every captain has made this shirt a symbol, a symbol of excellence that has continued over time. All of them contributed with their own passion, hard work and loyalty.

And today, just like Facchetti asked us, we must shout “Forza Inter”, with our heart, as we are part of a history that just keeps on growing.

Happy Birthday, Inter.

Happy Birthday, Inter fans.