Buona sera a tutti. I’m a little bit jealous of Jake tonight, because he’s in Milan and I’m in Livigno. Not that there’s anything wrong with Livigno; on the contrary, it’s stunning, I love it. But the venue for the opening ceremony tonight, the San Siro, is on my sporting bucket list. And I’m running out of time to cross it off.
For the uninitiated, the San Siro – officially, the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, named for one of Italy’s greatest footballers – is the home of both AC Milan and Inter Milan, and so many of the greatest players in the history of the beautiful game have graced its glorious grass surface. You name it, they’ve played there: Maldini, Ronaldo (the OG, although Cristiano played there for other teams), Baresi, Baggio, Rivera, Pirlo, Seedorf, Ibrahimovic … I could go on, and on, and on, but I’m mindful this is not a football blog.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, when he played for AC Milan, at San Siro Stadium. Credit: AP
It’s also hosted World Cup games in 1934 and 1990, the Euro in 1980, and many, many important fixtures for the Azzurri, the Italian national team, and the tenant clubs. Not to mention musical acts like David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, Elton John … again, I could go on.
San Siro is getting old and tired, and apparently the match-day experience isn’t up to modern standards any more, but it is a beautiful stadium with character and history, and that’s rare.
San Siro Stadium in Milan.Credit: AP
Most new stadiums are built like spaceships, and they all look the same. Sadly, this one won’t be around for much longer. Both of the Milan clubs bought it and the surrounding land a few months ago for €197 million and are planning to build a new stadium next door – and then, once it’s ready, knock the old one down. That’ll probably be around 2030, depending on the speed and efficiency of the Italian construction industry, which … yeah, I know. But investment in new facilities is important for Italy’s top clubs as they aim to keep touch financially with their rivals in England, who have stripped ahead in so many ways.
So tonight, then, is probably the last time this grand old stadium will be in the global spotlight. In bocca al lupo, San Siro – or, in English, best of luck, break a leg, etc.
