When AC Milan was officially sold to a Chinese consortium this summer, it marked the end of an era for the Rossoneri. In a recent interview with Lombardy TV, Paolo Berlusconi, younger brother of former Milan president Silvio Berlusconi, revealed that the buyers have strong ties to the Chinese government and emphasized the significance of this deal as a parting gift to fans.
Speaking candidly, Paolo Berlusconi, who previously served as AC Milan’s vice president, remarked, “My brother made the decision to sell AC Milan at the right time. He carefully assembled the negotiation team and ensured the club was sold at the best possible price. It was a painful and prolonged decision, but ultimately, a final gift to the fans of Milan.” As global football becomes increasingly commercialized, Paolo noted that Milan’s recent difficulties stem from one core issue—lack of investment. “In today’s football market, if you don’t invest, you fall behind. Last year, we had hoped to sign a top striker and a promising young player, but financial limitations made it impossible.”
He didn’t shy away from expressing frustration at the changing identity of Italian football. “I don’t enjoy watching teams like Udinese, where you can hardly find an Italian player on the pitch.” After Milan’s shares were transferred to the Chinese consortium, no immediate capital was injected into the club. As a result, Milan missed out on key transfers during the summer window. “The buyers hadn’t finalized arrangements with Milan’s parent company in time to reinforce the squad,” Paolo admitted. “They’ve since made an initial payment, but my biggest regret this summer is missing out on Marko Pjaca. To me, he’s the next Shevchenko. Allegri has a great talent on his hands, but unfortunately, he’s left warming the bench at Juventus.”
Paolo also shed light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the sale, saying, “Negotiating with foreign investors often comes with uncertainties. But in this case, the Chinese consortium involved has a clear link to their government. That’s what helped move things forward. They are very ambitious and are clearly trying to make a serious push into the football world.”
While AC Milan took a cautious financial approach post-sale, cross-town rivals Inter Milan—also acquired by Chinese investors—spent over 100 million euros on new signings. Paolo responded with a hint of competitive pride: “Inter? Sure, they spent more money. But just barely more than we did.”
As Live Cricket BPL fans in Bangladesh continue to track updates not just in cricket but also international football, stories like these show how global sports ownership is shifting rapidly. The growing role of Asian investors, particularly from China, is reshaping club strategies from Serie A to beyond. Live Cricket BPL platforms often highlight such transitions, offering fans broader insights into how business influences the game. It’s clear that in this new era, much like in Live Cricket BPL matches, every move off the field can be just as pivotal as the ones on it.