Inter and Italy great Sandro Mazzola dies aged 83 after illness

Inter legend and former Italy forward Sandro Mazzola has died at the age of 83 following a period of illness, the Italian club has announced.

Inter issued a statement mourning one of the most important figures in its history.

“Inter, its president Giuseppe Marotta, vice-president Javier Zanetti, head coach Cristian Chivu and his staff, the players and everyone at the club mourn with profound sadness the death of Sandro Mazzola, a Nerazzurri icon and a legend of world football, and offer their condolences to his family at this difficult time.”

The club added: “There is a desire to remember him, mixed with a sense of restraint. How difficult it is to find the right words to say goodbye to someone who truly wrote history, leaving an enduring and unparalleled mark.”

“Then there is the grief that has already overcome us and will never leave, because we can still imagine him here, between the club headquarters and Appiano, recalling Puskas, Herrera, Suarez and Corso, one story after another, immediately linking them to the present. His passion for Inter would shine in his eyes as he spoke about Lautaro and our Inter, the team of today and the team of eternity.”

Mazzola spent his entire playing career with Inter, joining the club as a young player and remaining there throughout his career. He was the son of Valentino Mazzola, who died in the Superga air disaster that claimed the lives of the Torino team.

“ S andro Mazzola was one of the greatest footballers in history,” Inter said. “Not only in Inter’s history, because he was the history of the club itself: he joined as a boy and never left. He carried the heavy burden of the memory of a father who appeared unbeatable. He was also fortunate to have two Inter legends who helped raise him and accompanied him on his journey through history.”

Mazzola helped Inter win the European Cup for the first time in the club’s history in the 1963-64 season, when they defeated Real Madrid. He scored twice in the final.

Across his career, he made 572 appearances for Inter and scored 162 goals. His honours with the club included four Serie A titles and two Intercontinental Cups.

He was also Serie A’s leading scorer in the 1964-65 season.

At international level, Mazzola helped Italy reach the 1970 World Cup final and was part of the team that won Euro 1968.

He was nominated for the Ballon d’Or nine times and finished runner-up to Johan Cruyff in 1971.