For Massimo Ambrosini and Serginho, winning the 2003 UEFA Champions League remains a remarkable moment in their long and decorated Milan career.
The former Rossoneri stalwarts were part of that team that over two decades ago lifted the most coveted trophy in European club football.
Ambrosini, who took the club’s captain armband following Paolo Maldini’s retirement in 2009, and Serginho, reflected on this success and their Milan career in an interview with Times of Malta.
Ambrosini and Serginho were in Malta during their visit at the SiGMA Europe 2024 as ambassadors for the Italian club, on behalf of marketing company Boomerang Partners who are partners with the seven-time European champions.
“The 2003 UEFA Champions League success will always remain an important part of Milan’s history,” Ambrosini said.
“Having beaten rivals Inter and Juventus in the semi-final and final respectively, is also a source of pride for us and for our fans.”
He also added the 1999 Scudetto as an important triumph in his career when Milan, then coached by Alberto Zaccheroni, where not tipped as favourites to lift Italy’s title.
“Winning that European title was very important for us because Silvio Berlusconi had assembled a very strong squad, targeted to lift that coveted trophy,” Serginho explained.
Both players lauded Berlusconi’s commitment to the club.
Berlusconi’s tenure is remembered for its attacking philosophy and innovative tactics that influenced European football.
Under his leadership, Milan won eight Serie A titles, five UEFA Champions League titles, three Intercontinental Cups, one FIFA Club World Cup, five UEFA Super Cups and seven Italian Super Cups.
“Silvio Berlusconi revolutionised the club, transforming it into a winning machine with an ambitious mentality,” Ambrosini pointed out.
“He and Adriano Galliani had Milan in their blood and when you have passionate people running such a club, it becomes easier to win titles,” Serginho added.
Known for his tenacious and combative playing style at the heart of the midfield, Ambrosini joined Milan in 1995 and went on to make over 300 appearances.
He contributed to some of Milan’s major triumphs, including another European title in 2007 and four Serie A titles.
“I am honoured to have represented Milan for 17 years.”
Serginho, on his part, spent the peak of his career at Milan having joined in 1999 and staying until his retirement in 2008.
The Brazilian fullback was considered as an adventurous left-back, often contributing to Milan’s attack with his crosses and dribbling.
At Milan, Serginho won the Serie A twice, the UEFA Champions League twice and a FIFA Club World Cup.
“I had always dreamed of playing for Milan since starting to follow them at a young age during their golden era of Marco Van Basten, Frank Rijkaard and Patrick Kluivert,” Serginho said.
Both Ambrosini and Serginho were also part of their national teams, representing Italy and Brazil in major tournaments.
Brazil turmoil
Serginho, who earned 10 caps for Brazil, won the 1999 Copa America and scored in the 1999 Confederations Cup final, which the Selecao had lost to Mexico.
Brazil, five-time World Cup winners, are always expected to delight on the field and deliver silverware.
But with their last World Cup success being in 2002, the nation is becoming impatient to restore former glory.
In addition, Brazil’s current World Cup qualifying for the 2026 edition does not bode well for their chances to claim a sixth triumph.
After a turbulent start to their South American qualifications, Brazil are now back on track as they sit fourth with 17 points, and with six teams advancing directly while the seventh making it to the play-offs, the Selecao should be in the next edition.
Nonetheless, the team’s lacklustre performances and coaching changes do not convince Serginho.
“I think Brazil are like Italy, two teams that are in a transitional moment with plenty of new faces introduced in the team,” he said.
“When it comes to Brazil, it has been difficult for the team to find a fitting playing system while the political and Brazilian FA problems did not help either.
Considering that winning the World Cup it takes at least a four-year plan, I don’t consider Brazil as main contenders for the next edition.”
On the other hand, Ambrosini is pleased with how Italy have bounced back from their disastrous UEFA Euro 2024 campaign where they suffered a shock last-16 exit against Switzerland.
Shifting their attention to the UEFA Nations League, Italy immediately showed a different mettle, dismantling France 3-1 in Paris.
The Azzurri are through to the Nations League quarter-finals as they top Group A2 with 13 points ahead of their direct showdown with France today.
“There was not a lot of enthusiasm around this Italian national team after the European championships,” he explained.
“The coach, Luciano Spalletti, is doing a brilliant job and is showing that there is enough talent in Italy to compete at this stage.
Note: Boomerang Partners and Boomerang Bet, are the official regional Betting Partner in Europe for AC Milan.
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