Inter Milan returned home to Italy after suffering a crushing 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final, securing a runner-up finish in the most prestigious tournament in European club soccer. The lopsided result capped off a bittersweet end to the Nerazzurri’s campaign.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, only one fan showed up at Milan’s Malpensa Airport to welcome the team back. Marco, the lone supporter, stood behind the security barriers, holding his scarf high. “I’m the only idiot here, but they still deserve applause,” he reportedly said. A few minutes later, a small group of fans arrived to join him, but none of the players stopped, waved, or even looked toward the crowd.
The scene at the airport was as somber as the scoreline. The Inter squad, all dressed in black, walked quietly through the terminal, avoiding eye contact and skipping the usual press statements. No words, no smiles, no acknowledgments. It was a muted return for a team that had just reached the pinnacle of European football—only to fall hard at the final hurdle.
According to La Gazzetta, emotions were clearly visible on the players’ faces. “Anger, disappointment, and frustration were the most common emotions seen on the faces of everyone, from manager Simone Inzaghi and assistant Massimiliano Farris to stars like Lautaro Martínez, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Francesco Acerbi.” Of all the players, only Acerbi received applause from Marco, the faithful fan behind the barricade.
Despite the defeat, Inter’s season is not over. The team is already looking ahead to their next challenge: the FIFA Club World Cup. Inter will face Monterrey in their first match of the tournament on June 17, and training will resume immediately.
It remains to be seen how the players and staff will process such a painful loss in the days to come. For now, silence and reflection define their return—along with the image of a single fan applauding a beaten team, reminding them that, even in defeat, some still believe.
