On June 30th, Matteo Darmian's contract with Internazionale expired, and the club officially paid tribute to the departing defender.

Internazionale bids farewell to Darmian: Thank you for everything, Matteo!

The defender concluded his Nerazzurri career after six seasons with the club, winning nine trophies along the way.

Six years together—we built something beautiful, something destined to last. Six seasons, built piece by piece, creating a beautiful mosaic that may not be immediately apparent but forms a cohesive whole. These foundations were built on hard work, dedication, selflessness, and sacrifice. For those who love Internazionale, it was easy to love Matteo Darmian: he was every coach's favorite player, a silent leader in the dressing room, a teammate always willing to go the extra mile—never complaining, always encouraging, always ready to play whenever and wherever needed.

Matteo was intelligent; he read the game and understood spaces on the field. His versatility and adaptability were remarkable, matched by consistent performances and an unwavering work ethic. Since joining Internazionale in late summer 2020, he has played nearly every defensive position: right-back and left-back, wide center-back, and even emergency center-back—always with the same determination in his eyes and the same commitment to giving his all. These qualities made him an eternally dependable presence, someone who never turned down a challenge, someone you could always rely on. The player who worked harder than most, who never retreated.

He could not experience the passion of a full San Siro from the outset, nor could he feel the true atmosphere of a Meazza Champions League night during his debut against Borussia Mönchengladbach. COVID-19 restrictions during the 2020/21 season prevented him from hearing the roaring cheers he deserved—yet it was during that season that he scored two crucial goals to secure Internazionale's 19th Serie A title.

These two goals exemplified Darmian's reading of the game, tactical intelligence, and positioning. Scoring against Cagliari (1-0) and Verona (1-0), both from the left wing, he calmly delivered decisive strikes in the box. These goals proved instrumental in claiming his first Serie A title and first trophy in an Internazionale jersey—a shirt that became increasingly his own with each passing year, eventually earning him the applause and recognition he had always deserved.

Though not always the most eye-catching player, Matteo Darmian gave everything during six glorious years at Internazionale: 218 appearances, 13 goals, 13 assists, 3 Serie A titles, 3 Coppa Italia trophies, and 3 Supercoppa Italiana titles. He embodied leadership, a winning mentality, and unwavering dedication. His love for the Nerazzurri was evident during the title celebration against Verona, when his number 36 appeared on the substitution board—the entire stadium rose to honor him. It was a prolonged, moving ovation expressing genuine affection and recognition for his countless runs and overlaps, crosses and insertions, tackles and blocks throughout his years defending the Internazionale jersey. Darmian was visibly moved, placing his hand on his heart and saluting the stadium, and we were equally moved to witness the end of this long, loyal, and triumphant love story.

Thank you, Matteo: it's wonderful to win together!

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