Silvio Berlusconi has passed away at the age of 86. The former Prime Minister of Italy and former owner of AC Milan had been seriously ill for some time.
Former Milan owner Berlusconi has passed away at the age of 86
Berlusconi had been hospitalized since Friday for a medical examination because he had been suffering from leukemia for some time. However, the eccentric politician and football director died on Monday morning, all major Italian newspapers report.
Despite his deteriorating health, Berlusconi was still active in football as owner of Monza, which he led from Serie C1 (third tier) to Serie A in a short time. The provincial club finished eleventh this season and stunted with victories over Juventus, Inter and Napoli.
But Berlusconi is best known as the man behind Milan’s success period. After the media tycoon took over the Rossoneri in 1986, the club enjoyed great success. Under his reign, Milan won the European Cup I/Champions League five times and eight national titles.
Especially in the early days of the Berlusconi era, Milan was a dominant force in European football. Milan made a big impression on the international fields with the Dutch golden trio Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard.
Even after the first golden era, Milan continued to be successful under Berlusconi’s leadership. At the beginning of this century, a new era of glory followed with coach Carlo Ancelotti, who won the Champions League twice (in 2003 and 2007). In 2017, Berlusconi sold the club.
Dries Mertens is not done yet at Galatasaray
Speaking about significant figures in Italy, Dries Mertens stays with Galatasaray. The 36-year-old Belgian himself announced this via his social media.
Mertens, who had an expiring contract in Turkey with an option for another year, made a transfer to Galatasaray last summer after having played nine seasons at SSC Napoli. At the Cim Bom Bom, the Belgian immediately experienced a special season: Mertens won a national title for the first time in his career.
Mertens himself had a significant share in Galatasaray’s league title. The wing attacker played thirty games and scored six goals and three assists.
The Belgian previously played for AGOVV, FC Utrecht, PSV and therefore Napoli. At Napoli, Mertens won the Italian Cup twice and the Italian Super Cup once. At De Rode Duivels, Mertens played 109 international matches.
