AC Milan: History, Honours & San Siro

The Origins: 1899 and an International DNA

The Milan Football and Cricket Club was born on 16 December 1899 at the Hotel du Nord in Milan, founded by Englishman Herbert Kilpin and Italian Alfred Edwards. The English spelling "Milan" (rather than the Italian "Milano") reflects the club's international roots — a character Milan would retain forever. The first matches were played at the Campo di Porta Monforte, and the first Italian championship arrived as early as 1901.

The Golden Era of the 1960s: Rivera and the First European Cup

After decades of ups and downs, the 1960s brought Milan to the pinnacle of European football. With Gianni Rivera — the "Golden Boy" of Italian football — Milan won their first European Cup in 1963, beating Benfica 2-1 at Wembley. Rivera, winner of the Ballon d'Or in 1969, became the symbol of a golden age that laid the foundations for future greatness.

During these years, San Siro Stadium began its transformation into the temple of football we know today: European nights under the floodlights became an unmissable occasion for Milan fans.

The Berlusconi Revolution: 1986–2007

The arrival of Silvio Berlusconi as president in 1986 changed everything. By hiring coaches Arrigo Sacchi and later Fabio Capello, Milan built legendary squads that dominated Europe.

Sacchi's Milan (1987–1991)

Sacchi's "pressing zone" revolutionised world football. The three Dutchmen — Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard — formed an unprecedented attacking trident. Two consecutive European Cups followed (1989 and 1990), the first won 4-0 against Steaua Bucharest in a performance many consider the greatest final ever played.

Capello's Milan (1991–1996)

Capello continued the dominance: 58 consecutive Serie A matches without defeat, the legendary back line of Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and Mauro Tassotti, and a crushing 4-0 Champions League final victory over Cruyff's Barcelona in 1994 — one of the most spectacular demolitions in tournament history.

Istanbul and Redemption: 2003–2007

The 2003 Champions League was won on an all-Italian night at Old Trafford against Juventus (on penalties). Two years later, the Istanbul final of 2005 against Liverpool — Milan 3-0 up at half-time, then pegged back and beaten on penalties — remains one of the most painful evenings in Rossoneri history.

But Milan rose again: in Athens 2007, revenge was served against the very same Liverpool, with Pippo Inzaghi the hero of a final that closed the club's most glorious era with a seventh Champions League title.

Rossoneri Legends

Few clubs can boast a pantheon of champions like Milan:

• Paolo Maldini — 25 seasons, 902 appearances, the ultimate defender in world football
• Franco Baresi — The sweeper who reinvented the role, captain for 15 years
• Marco van Basten — Three Ballon d'Or awards, perhaps the most complete striker in history
• Kaká — 2007 Ballon d'Or, Brazilian speed and elegance in the service of Milan
• Andriy Shevchenko — 175 goals in 322 appearances, the Ukrainian bomber who terrorised Europe
• Gianni Rivera — The Golden Boy, 1969 Ballon d'Or, Milan's first great number 10

Honours

• 7 Champions League / European Cups (1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007)
• 19 Scudetti (most recent in 2021/22)
• 5 UEFA Super Cups
• 3 Intercontinental Cups + 1 FIFA Club World Cup
• 5 Coppa Italia
• 7 Supercoppa Italiana

Milan at San Siro

Stadio Giuseppe Meazza has been Milan's home since 1926 — exactly from its inauguration. For nearly a century, San Siro's terraces have vibrated with Rossoneri goals, from Van Basten's volleys to Kaká's mazy runs.

The European nights under the floodlights of the second tier are the stuff of legend: the atmosphere of a Milan–Real Madrid or Milan–Barcelona match at San Siro is something every football lover should experience at least once.

If you're lucky enough to be in Milan during a Milan match, our San Siro apartments put you just minutes on foot from the stadium.

Milan Today

After the 2022 Scudetto — the first after 11 years of waiting — Milan is back at the summit of Italian and European football. The new stadium project points to an ambitious future, but San Siro will forever remain the place where Milan wrote the finest pages of their history.