Internazionale Wiretap

Inter Milan secured the Serie A championship Sunday with a 2-0 victory over Parma, finishing 12 points clear of second-place Napoli with three rounds remaining. It is the club's 21st league title and their third in six seasons under different coaches.

First-year manager Cristian Chivu, 45, replaced Simone Inzaghi ahead of this campaign. The Romanian guided Inter to the title despite a disappointing Champions League exit to Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the playoff phase.

The achievement carries added weight given last season's difficulties. Inter lost the Serie A title to Napoli by one point and were beaten 5-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final. A significant drop-off was widely anticipated heading into this season.

Inter built the title on consistent volume. The club scored more than 80 goals, a total surpassed in Europe's top leagues only by Bayern Munich and Barcelona. Their goal difference stands at +51, well beyond any Serie A rival.

The Scudetto moves Inter two titles clear of city rivals AC Milan as Italy's second-most decorated club, behind Juventus' 36 championships.

Chivu now targets a domestic double. Inter face Lazio in the Coppa Italia final on May 13. Sunday's win at Parma carried personal significance for Chivu, who served as interim coach at the club last season before being appointed Inter manager.

Barcelona are interested in signing Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni this summer but face significant financial hurdles and are weighing alternative options, club sources told ESPN. The Catalan club identified signing a new centerback as a priority after failing to replace Inigo Martinez last year.

Bastoni, 26, fits the profile sporting director Deco is seeking: a left-sided centre-back with top-level experience and long-term potential. His contract with Inter runs until 2027, and Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reported Tuesday that the Serie A leaders would demand more than €50 million ($58 million) for the Italy international.

"There are other names on the list that have not yet come out," one source told ESPN, though Bastoni was highlighted as one of the leading candidates.

Aston Villa's Pau Torres and Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck remain previously reported targets, while Luka Vuskovic, Micky van de Ven and Manchester City's Nathan Ake have also been linked.

Barcelona's pursuit of a centerback is complicated by a parallel search for a striker. With limited resources available this summer, the club may be forced to choose between a major investment in defence or attack, potentially pushing them toward a more economical defensive option if they commit significant funds to a No. 9.

Barcelona's current centerback options include Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Ronald Araujo, Gerard Martin and Andreas Christensen. Christensen is currently injured and out of contract in the summer, though Deco has indicated the club is open to extending the Danish international's deal.

Inter Milan have hired Parma's Cristian Chivu as their new manager to replace Simone Inzaghi. Chivu was only appointed as manager of Parma in February.

Inzaghi left Inter to become manager of Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia after they lost the Champions League final to Paris Saint-Germain.

Chivu won three league titles in seven seasons as a player for Inter.

CBS had their lowest audience for a Champions League Final since they began airing the event in 2021 as Paris Saint-Germain convincingly defeated Inter Milan 5-0. The game had 2.04 million viewers on CBS, which was down 12 percent from Real Madrid-Dortmund last year. The Madrid-Dortmund match was the best UCL final since 2011.

While PSG and Inter have each been compelling clubs this season, they lack the draw in the United States compared to any number of Premier League clubs or the Spanish giants of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Over the full Champions League, Paramount+ had its highest streaming audience to date.

Simone Inzaghi has left Inter Milan and is expected to join Al Hilal of the Saudi Pro League on a deal wroth more than $20 million per season. Inzaghi led Inter to the Champions League final in two of the past three seasons. Inter also won the Serie A title last in 2024. Inter finished one point behind Napoli this season.

"The time has come for me to say goodbye to this club after a run of four years during which I gave everything," Inzaghi wrote in a letter addressed to Inter fans on the club website on Tuesday.

Inzaghi was at Inter for four seasons and had one season remaining on his contract. Cesc Fabregas could be a candidate for Inter to replace Inzaghi. 

Paris Saint-Germain claimed their first Champions League trophy in club history on Saturday, defeating Inter Milan 5-0 in the largest winning margin in a final since the competition's 1956 inception, completing a historic treble alongside their Ligue 1 and Coupe de France titles.

The Qatari-owned club achieved European glory at Munich's Allianz Arena through goals from Achraf Hakimi, Desire Doue (2), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Senny Mayulu. The victory marked PSG's transformation from a star-studded squad to a youth-focused team under coach Luis Enrique.

Youth Stars Shine in Historic Final

Doue, 19, became the first teenager to score twice in a Champions League final since Benfica's Eusebio in 1962. Hakimi opened scoring in the 12th minute against his former club, while substitute Mayulu added his name to the teenage scorer list with an 86th-minute goal.

The triumph represents PSG's first Champions League success after over a decade of pursuit with superstars including Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe. Ironically, victory came in their first season without Mbappe, who departed for Real Madrid on a free transfer seeking European glory.

PSG becomes only the second French club to lift the European Cup after Marseille in 1993. The comprehensive victory surpassed previous record margins of 4-0 set by AC Milan and Bayern Munich in past finals.

"We have made history, we have written our names in the history of this club," Hakimi said. "For a long time this club deserved it, we are very happy."

"It's a mix of joy, of all the emotions we've spent together," defender Marquinhos said. "I think of all the players who have come through and not succeeded. This is the best day of my life."

The victory vindicated Luis Enrique's youth-centric approach, earning the Spanish coach his second Champions League title after guiding Barcelona to victory in 2015.

Simone Inzaghi attempted to shut down reports linking him to a move to Saudi Arabia ahead of Inter Milan's Champions League Final on Saturday against Paris Saint-Germain. Inzaghi is under contract with Inter until June 2026 and has been linked with Al-Hilal. Inzaghi was hired by Inter in 2021 and won Serie A in 2024 and has led the club to two Champions League Finals. 

"It's the same thing every year, when I was at Lazio and at Inter, luckily there are requests, from Italy, from abroad and from Saudi Arabia," Inzaghi told reporters on Monday.

"But I think it would be crazy right now to think about that. As the (Inter) president said, with whom I have a great relationship, the day after the game we'll sit down and talk, as we've always done over the years. With only one objective, which is the good of Inter."

Inter finished second in Serie A behind Napoli with the title decided on the final day of the season on Friday.

Real Madrid has claimed the top spot as the world's most valuable soccer club at $6.53 billion, surpassing Manchester United ($6.09 billion) in Sportico's 2025 rankings. Los Blancos became the first soccer club in history to generate €1 billion in operating revenue during a season, bolstered by their Champions League victory and completed Bernabeu Stadium renovation.

The Spanish giants' matchday revenue doubled to $346 million, twice as much as any competitor. Personal seat licenses contributed $82 million to this total, according to Sportico's analysis.

Real Madrid's commercial revenue from sponsorships and merchandise also jumped 23 percent to $439 million. A new sleeve sponsorship deal with tech giant HP helped drive this growth.

Premier League Dominance Continues Despite United's Struggles

Manchester United's value dipped two percent amid ongoing struggles both on and off the pitch. The club currently sits 15th in the Premier League and has announced significant staff layoffs following Jim Ratcliffe's $1.6 billion investment for a 27.7% stake.

The Premier League remains soccer's financial powerhouse with 14 clubs in the top 50, up from nine last year. Television rights have been the primary driver, with international broadcast deals now exceeding domestic ones for the first time.

Current Premier League broadcast agreements average £3.5 billion annually ($4.6 billion), with international rights worth more than those of the other four major European leagues combined. Even relegation-bound clubs receive substantial distributions, with last season's bottom finisher Sheffield United earning $138 million.

MLS Growth and European Financial Challenges

While European clubs dominate the top of the rankings, MLS heavily populates the lower portion with 19 entries. Los Angeles FC leads MLS clubs at 16th position with a $1.28 billion valuation.

"You'll find LaLiga, Premier League, PSG and Bayern shirts and branding in every corner of the world, and few industries can match football's combination of reach and soft power," said Alexander Jarvis, whose Blackbridge Sports LLC advisory firm specializes in soccer club acquisitions.

European soccer's financial model remains problematic despite rising valuations. Five of the top 15 clubs posted operating losses exceeding $60 million over their past two seasons, with PSG losing $60 million in 2023-24 alone.

"The absence of effective cost controls on player salaries significantly undermines the financial sustainability of these clubs," Jarvis added.

The valuation gap between soccer and other major sports leagues persists. Only Real Madrid and Manchester United rank among the top 20 most valuable sports franchises globally, a list dominated by NFL teams with their strict salary caps and lucrative television contracts.

The minimum valuation required to make Sportico's top 50 soccer clubs has risen to $610 million, a 16 percent increase over two years. However, this growth lags significantly behind the NFL (66%), NBA (88%), and NHL (143%) over the same period.

50 Most Valuable Soccer Clubs (2025)

1. Real Madrid: $6.53 billion
2. Manchester United: $6.09 billion
3. FC Barcelona: $5.71 billion
4. Liverpool: $5.59 billion
5. Bayern Munich: $5.21 billion
6. Manchester City: $5.16 billion
7. Arsenal: $4.49 billion
8. Paris Saint-Germain :$4.26 billion
9. Tottenham Hotspur: $3.68 billion
10. Chelsea: $3.57 billion
11. Atletico de Madrid: $1.85 billion
12. Borussia Dortmund: $1.83 billion
13. Juventus: $1.81 billion
14. AC Milan: $1.34 billion
15. Inter Milan: $1.3 billion
16. Los Angeles FC: $1.28 billion
17. Inter Miami: $1.19 billion
18. LA Galaxy: $1.11 billion
19. Atlanta United: $1.08 billion
20. New York City FC: $1 billion
21. West Ham United: $940 million
22. Newcastle United: $930 million
23. Austin FC: $865 million
24. Aston Villa: $850 million
25. Seattle Sounders: $825 million
26. Everton: $825 million
27. Napoli: $775 million
28. America: $770 million
29. Olympique Lyonnais: $750 million
30. AS Roma: $750 million
31. Brighton & Hove: $745 million
32. Guadalajara: $730 million
33. Columbus Crew: $730 million
34. Toronto FC: $725 million
35. FC Cincinnati: $725 million
36. D.C. United: $720 million
37. Portland Timbers: $720 million
38. AFC Ajax: $710 million
39. Charlotte FC: $705 million
40. Philadelphia Union: $700 million
41. SL Benfica: $675 million
42. St. Louis City SC: $655 million
43. Minnesota United: $655 million
44. Sporting Kansas City: $650 million
45. New York Red Bulls: $645 million
46. Nashville SC: $640 million
47. Eintracht Frankfurt: $640 million
48. AFC Bournemouth: $630 million
49. Brentford: $615 million
50. Crystal Palace: $610 million

Inter Milan secured their place in the Champions League final after a dramatic 4-3 extra-time victory against Barcelona, capping one of the most thrilling European ties in recent history. The Italian side will now head to Munich for their second Champions League final appearance in three years.

Davide Frattesi scored the decisive goal in extra time, completing Inter's remarkable journey through a tie that produced a joint-record 13 goals across both legs. Barcelona, despite holding a statistical edge with 2.85 xG compared to Inter's 2.45, saw their treble hopes dashed. Inter keeper Yann Sommer was largely responsible for stopping multiple strong chances from Lamine Yamal.

Match Drama Unfolds At San Siro

Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring for Inter in the 21st minute before Hakan Calhanoglu doubled their advantage with a penalty just before halftime. Barcelona mounted an impressive comeback with Gerard Martin providing assists for both Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo to level the score.

Raphinha appeared to have completed Barcelona's remarkable turnaround with an 87th-minute goal. However, 37-year-old defender Francesco Acerbi forced extra time with his dramatic equalizer in the third minute of stoppage time.

"My heart was beating out of my chest, it's really incredible," match-winner Frattesi told CBS after the game. "There will never be another match like that. It's crazy. My family are all here today and this is something I will tell my kids in the future."

"When we conceded the third goal, I spoke to Marcus Thuram and I said we would go to the final. I don't know how we then scored the goal. It was crazy."

Inter manager Simone Inzaghi praised his team's resilience: "We had some problems but, with heart, we went over every obstacle. We tried to play with the qualities we have. After the first leg, we had the game plan in mind, but without the sacrifice and the help of all of us together, you can't do it. Well done guys — they deserve this final."

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick remained philosophical in defeat: "The players and the team deserve respect. We want to win titles. When they come back and they look at themselves in the mirror, I hope they feel proud. The cycle has started but we haven't reached the top. We have to stand up, that was the message I wanted to give my players."

The tie's 13-goal total matches the Champions League knockout stage record, equaling Liverpool's 7-6 aggregate win over Roma in 2018 and Bayern Munich's 12-1 victory against Sporting CP in 2008.

Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi heaped extraordinary praise on 17-year-old Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, calling him a "phenomenon born every 50 years" following their 3-3 Champions League semifinal first leg draw. 

Yamal marked his 100th professional appearance for Barcelona by spearheading their comeback from a 2-0 deficit. The teenage winger scored an exceptional solo goal and hit the woodwork twice during a performance that left both managers in awe.

Barcelona twice came from behind, with Yamal scoring their first goal and later facilitating Raphinha's equalizer that made it 3-3. The match saw Inter take an early two-goal lead before Barcelona's resilient response.

Teenage Sensation Shines on European Stage

Despite missing the chance to secure victory when his last-minute lob struck the crossbar, Yamal's performance showcased his extraordinary talent on one of soccer's biggest stages. He finished the match with a goal, multiple created chances, and two shots that hit the woodwork.

At just 17 years and 292 days old, Yamal has already compiled remarkable statistics across his 100 appearances: 22 goals, 27 assists, and 6,859 minutes played while collecting three club trophies.

The Spain international has enjoyed his most productive campaign this season with 15 goals and 20 assists in 49 appearances, helping Barcelona remain in contention for a treble of league, cup, and European honors.

"We could even have won this game against a team who have a player who is difficult to stop," Inzaghi said afterward. "We started well, but they created a lot of problems: he created a lot of problems. He is a player I had not seen live before. We had to double up on him. We managed it better in the second half and could even have won. Lamine Yamal is a phenomenon born every 50 years. We made some adjustments to improve how we dealt with him after the break, which is not easy. He really impressed me today."

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick was equally effusive in his praise: "I think he's special. I said it often before, he's a genius. During the game, when I look at the match from the outside, it's not like when you see after. You see all the details and it is unbelievable how he does it. At 17 years old, he's an unbelievable player and for me the important thing is he keeps going.

"He was so important for us in the first half. He created a lot of things and scored the first goal. You know, I know, everyone knows, and after today, that he is a fantastic player. He does it always in the big games. In the big matches like the semi-final today, he shows how good he is. This is what we want and need from him. He's always there. He has to enjoy it too. I am really happy that this talent who comes every 50 years plays for Barcelona."