The FIGC and its President, Gabriele Gravina, send their condolences to the family of Silvio Berlusconi, who passed away in Milan at the age of 86 today.

“Silvio Berlusconi changed the history of Italian football,” said Gravina. “He was a winner who was able to make a clear and indelible mark on the development of our game. His contribution in terms of passion, innovation and investment, always with a particular focus on the beautiful game and entertainment, played a vital role in helping our movement forge a successful path internationally.”

Four-time Italian Prime Minister, Berlusconi entered politics in 1993 after entrepreneurial successes in construction and the communication and media industry. He went on to become the longest-serving politician in the role of Prime Minister in post-war Italy.

A big football fan, he became AC Milan president in 1986 and remained in the role until April 2017. During his tenure, the Rossoneri won 29 trophies (including eight Scudetto titles and five Champions League triumphs), thus establishing themselves as one of the strongest teams of all time. To date, he is the most successful president in the history of Italian football.

He then bought Monza in 2018, taking them from Serie C to the Italian top flight, which they reached for the very first time in 2022. In 2016, he was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame.