Few clubs in football carry the legacy, drama, and international pedigree of Inter Milan. Founded in 1908 as a club open to foreign players, Inter has cultivated a distinctive identity shaped by triumphs at home and on the European stage. This article explores the club’s greatest-ever teams, judging them on dominance, historical significance, and quality of football.
1963–64 to 1965–66: La Grande Inter
Managed by Helenio Herrera, this side remains the blueprint for defensive discipline married to ruthless counter-attacks. Nicknamed La Grande Inter, the team defined an era, winning two European Cups and three Serie A titles in four years.
Key players:
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Giacinto Facchetti
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Sandro Mazzola
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Luis Suárez Miramontes
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Tarcisio Burgnich
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Jair da Costa
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Armando Picchi
Trophies:
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European Cup: 1964, 1965
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Serie A: 1963–64, 1964–65, 1965–66
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Intercontinental Cup: 1964, 1965
This was a tactical revolution. Herrera’s use of the catenaccio system, with a sweeper behind the defence and rapid transitions, made Inter nearly unplayable at their peak.
1988–89: The Record-Breaking Scudetto Team
Under Giovanni Trapattoni, Inter produced one of the most dominant Serie A campaigns in history. They amassed 58 points from 34 games (under the old two-points-for-a-win system), a record at the time.
Key players:
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Lothar Matthäus
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Giuseppe Bergomi
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Andreas Brehme
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Walter Zenga
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Aldo Serena
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Nicola Berti
Trophies:
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Serie A: 1988–89
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Supercoppa Italiana: 1989
This side was physically imposing, tactically intelligent, and technically gifted. Matthäus, in particular, brought a blend of steel and brilliance rarely matched in the Italian game.
2006–10: The Mourinho-Led Treble Era
Following the Calciopoli scandal, Inter capitalised on Juventus’ demotion and Milan’s struggles, but their dominance was no fluke. Roberto Mancini laid the groundwork with multiple Scudetti, but José Mourinho elevated the team to European glory.
Key players:
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Javier Zanetti
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Maicon
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Diego Milito
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Samuel Eto’o
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Wesley Sneijder
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Esteban Cambiasso
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Julio César
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Lucio
Trophies (2006–10 period):
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Serie A: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10
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Coppa Italia: 2009–10
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UEFA Champions League: 2009–10
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Supercoppa Italiana: 2006, 2008
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FIFA Club World Cup: 2010
The 2009–10 treble remains one of the most complete seasons in Italian football. Mourinho’s pragmatism, combined with exceptional performances from Milito and Sneijder, culminated in a memorable Champions League win over Bayern Munich.
2020–21: Conte’s Scudetto Resurgence
After years of decline, Inter re-established themselves as champions under Antonio Conte. The 2020–21 side ended Juventus’ nine-year stranglehold on the league with a cohesive, counter-attacking system rooted in physical and tactical control.
Key players:
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Romelu Lukaku
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Nicolò Barella
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Lautaro Martínez
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Milan Škriniar
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Marcelo Brozovi?
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Achraf Hakimi
Trophies:
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Serie A: 2020–21
This team may not have had the same European pedigree, but in domestic terms, it restored Inter’s pride and reawakened a winning culture that has continued in subsequent years.
Honourable Mentions
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1939–40 and 1950s Double Champions: Inter’s pre-modern title winners laid the foundation of the club’s reputation, with players like Giuseppe Meazza, after whom the stadium is co-named, becoming national icons.
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2010–11 to 2022–23 Modern Revival Teams: Though falling short of league titles until 2021, the likes of Luciano Spalletti and Simone Inzaghi maintained Inter’s presence in Europe, culminating in a return to the Champions League final in 2023.
