September 29 marked the 90th birthday of Silvio Berlusconi, AC Milan's honorary president. His brother Paolo seized the opportunity to sit down for an exclusive interview with Mauro Suma, director of Milan TV. This article is part two of that interview.

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Paolo, if I may ask—there were so many incredible moments back then. Lifting the European Cup in Barcelona in 1989, winning the first Intercontinental Cup, the grand celebration of Ballon d'Or winners at San Siro, and in November 2016, that spectacular choreography the Curva Sud ultras dedicated to Silvio in the final Milan derby. I'd like to know: throughout those long, magnificent, and incomparable years with the Rossoneri, when did you see the brightest joy and happiness in Silvio Berlusconi's eyes?

Well, my first vivid memory is winning that first Serie A title. At that moment, Silvio began delivering perfect results for the Milanistas and the city of Milan, reaping the first fruits of glory. Unfortunately, he couldn't attend the final when that team won their first European Cup. He was serving as Prime Minister at the time (translator's note: Paolo Berlusconi may be mistaken here. Silvio Berlusconi was not yet Prime Minister of Italy in 1989).

After that, the glorious victories kept coming one after another.

One of the most beautiful memories I have is when the players lifted him into the air on the pitch. I believe that was after our second European Cup win. But Silvio always accepted these honors very naturally. For him, achieving excellence seemed inevitable. He had a motto he repeated constantly: "With hard work, total dedication, infinite passion, determination, and an optimistic spirit, success is guaranteed." He always advised everyone: "You must always be optimistic. If you start from pessimism, you'll never achieve great results."

From day one, he declared: "I want to make Milan the strongest football club in the world!" Remember how the world mocked him for such a bold statement. But as those glorious results gradually became reality, the mockery changed to: "Well, he just spent a lot of money."

But these ultimate honors cannot be bought with money alone. Football history is full of such examples. Many club presidents have spent generously yet achieved almost nothing. Silvio made enormous investments and obtained immeasurable glory. During his 30 glorious years leading the Rossoneri, Milan won 29 major trophies.

So when I meet with Milan fans, I'm reminded that people live in past, present, and future, but the past forms the firmest foundation. Today and tomorrow quickly become yesterday. I ask Milan fans—or fans of Juventus, Inter, Roma, Lazio, Naples, or any other team—about this glorious past with 29 trophies: "If you were in their place, what would you choose?" They all answer without hesitation: "Paolo, I'd want it all."

Paolo, there's one more thing I'd like to ask. Franco Baresi lost his mother in childhood and his father over the years. I imagine that someday when Franco meets his parents in heaven, Silvio will embrace him above all else, because Silvio Berlusconi loved Franco deeply...

Silvio deeply loved all the players under his direction. Especially Franco (Baresi), especially Paolo (Maldini), and Shevchenko, Van Basten, Rijkaard, and all the Rossoneri warriors who followed. Think of those Ballon d'Or winners. Consider the glory Silvio brought to Milan. One year, there were three Ballon d'Or winners playing on the same pitch—one of them (Papin) was barely a backup.

Let me return to something emotional yet simple and unforgettable. On the urn that holds Silvio's ashes, there is an inscription of words he wrote himself on a small piece of paper during his lifetime. I later had them engraved on the urn: "A strong, just, and generous man." And his generosity transformed completely into deep love—he poured affection on everyone around him, especially Milan's young players. For him, if Milan was his sixth child and Forza Italia his seventh, he bestowed incomparable love upon them just as he did with his own children.

Paolo, thank you so much. Heartfelt embrace. The name Berlusconi, Berlusconi's legendary journey, Berlusconi's grand epic, Berlusconi's great era will live forever in the depths of our hearts, minds, and souls. Forever "Forza Milan"—heartfelt embrace to you and to your brother's memory behind you! Thank you!

Well, shall we have him greet everyone directly too, if he can…(looking at Silvio's photo behind) Yes, I think you all understand what I mean.

Everyone understands—he lives forever in our hearts! Thank you all, and heartfelt respect! Goodbye Paolo, and thank you!

AI翻訳。

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