AC Milan (football club)
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| AC Milan (football club) | |
|---|---|
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| Clubname | AC Milan |
| Fullname | Associazione Calcio Milan |
| Founded | 1899 |
| Ground | San Siro |
| Capacity | 80,018 |
| Chairman | Paolo Scaroni |
| Manager | Stefano Pioli |
| League | Serie A |
AC Milan (football club) is a professional football club based in Milan, Lombardy, Italy, founded in 1899 by Alfred Edwards and Herbert Kilpin. The club has competed in Serie A, Coppa Italia, UEFA Champions League, and FIFA Club World Cup, and has featured players from Argentina, Brazil, France, Netherlands, and Portugal. Milan's history includes periods under the ownership of Silvio Berlusconi, Elliott Management Corporation, and investment by Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux, with home matches played at the San Siro shared with Inter Milan.
History
The club was established in 1899 by English expatriates linked to Associazione Calcio Milan founders Alfred Edwards and Herbert Kilpin, soon competing in early editions of the Italian Football Championship, contending with clubs like Juventus, Inter Milan, and Genoa CFC. In the 1950s Milan won titles with stars who later influenced tactics used by managers such as Nereo Rocco and Arrigo Sacchi, while competing in European competitions organized by UEFA alongside Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich. The Berlusconi era from 1986 saw presidents interact with figures like Silvio Berlusconi, coaches including Fabio Capello, Carlo Ancelotti, and players such as Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, Marco van Basten, and Andriy Shevchenko, leading to success in Serie A and UEFA Champions League. Later ownership transitions involved Sheikh Mansour-linked investors, Elliott Management Corporation, and private equity groups, with managerial appointments connecting to Massimiliano Allegri, Rafael Benítez, and Stefano Pioli while facing rivals Inter Milan and Juventus FC in domestic competition.
Stadium and Facilities
Milan's primary venue is the San Siro (officially Stadio Giuseppe Meazza), a ground shared with Inter Milan and situated in Milan, featuring renovations influenced by events like the 1990 FIFA World Cup and proposals linked to local authorities including the Comune di Milano. Training facilities have included the Milanello Sports Centre where coaching staff such as Cesare Maldini and Arrigo Sacchi oversaw youth development comparable to academies at La Masia and Sporting CP Academy. Infrastructure investments have been discussed with entities like Lega Serie A and partners including UEFA to meet standards for UEFA Champions League fixtures and FIFA Club World Cup hosting.
Colours, Badge and Kit
Milan's traditional colours are red and black, a palette established by founder Herbert Kilpin and symbolized in the club badge, which has evolved across eras corresponding to presidents including Silvio Berlusconi and corporate identities like Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux. Kits have been manufactured by global brands such as Puma (company), Adidas, Kappa (company), and Nike, Inc. with sponsorship from companies including Fly Emirates and Opel (company), displayed on shirts worn by legends like Kaka, Andrea Pirlo, and Zlatan Ibrahimović. The badge incorporates the Saint Ambrose cross and the city flag of Milan tying the club to municipal symbols and regional identity in Lombardy.
Players and Staff
The squad has featured international stars from Argentina (such as Javier Zanetti-era contemporaries), Brazil (including Kaka and Ronaldinho-era peers), Netherlands (Marco van Basten), Ukraine (Andriy Shevchenko), and Sweden (Zlatan Ibrahimović), coached by managers like Carlo Ancelotti, Fabio Capello, and Stefano Pioli. The youth academy produced graduates such as Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi, while sporting directors and executives have included figures from FIGC networks and transfer dealings with clubs like Real Madrid, ACF Fiorentina, AS Roma, and Paris Saint-Germain. Medical staff, analytics teams, and scouting departments collaborate with partners in UEFA competitions and transfer markets governed by FIFA regulations.
Honours and Records
Milan is one of the most decorated clubs in world football, holding multiple Serie A titles, numerous Coppa Italia trophies, and a record among European clubs for UEFA Champions League triumphs alongside Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. International honours include wins in the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup competing against winners from confederations such as CONMEBOL and CONCACAF. Individual records involve players recognized by awards like the Ballon d'Or, UEFA Club Football Awards, and national team accolades for participants in FIFA World Cup tournaments.
Rivalries and Culture
The Derby della Madonnina against Inter Milan is a marquee fixture in Milan with cultural significance akin to derbies contested by Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona and Celtic F.C. vs Rangers F.C., while rivalries with Juventus FC and Genoa CFC reflect historical competition in Serie A and domestic cups like the Coppa Italia. Fan culture includes ultras organizations that engage in tifos similar to supporters at La Bombonera and Camp Nou, and the club's identity has been celebrated in media produced by outlets such as RAI and international broadcasters like Sky Sports and ESPN.
Ownership and Finances
Ownership has shifted from founders to industrialists such as Silvio Berlusconi, to hedge funds like Elliott Management Corporation, and investment vehicles like Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux, with financial dealings subject to rules from UEFA Financial Fair Play and scrutiny by regulators including Consob. Revenue streams derive from broadcasting deals negotiated by Lega Serie A, commercial partnerships with brands like Adidas and Fly Emirates, and matchday income tied to San Siro capacity, while transfer market strategies interact with agents registered with FIFA and compliance frameworks set by UEFA.
Category:Football clubs in Italy