According to a report by Barca Universal on Thursday, October 29, 2026, former Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has revealed that eliminating Barcelona in the 2010 UEFA Champions League semi-finals gave him greater satisfaction than winning the trophy itself.

While discussing Jose Mourinho’s departure to Real Madrid and Ronaldo Nazario’s transfer from Barcelona to Inter Milan, the Italian businessman reflected on the club’s historic treble-winning season.

Speaking to AS, as reported by SPORT, Moratti recalled Inter’s memorable semi-final victory over Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. Mourinho’s team defeated the Spanish giants over two legs before securing a 2-0 victory against Bayern Munich in the final at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Inter claimed their third European Cup title through two goals from Argentine striker Diego Milito in the final. However, Moratti admitted that eliminating Barcelona at Camp Nou remained his most cherished moment of the entire campaign.

“I was happier at the Camp Nou. I celebrated reaching the final even more after eliminating Pep’s Barça than after beating Bayern 2-0 at the Bernabeu,” Moratti explained, describing the occasion as extraordinary and unforgettable.

The former Inter president also discussed the 1997 transfer of Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazario from Barcelona to the Italian club. He explained that negotiations were relatively straightforward because he considered the transfer fee requested by Barcelona reasonable.

Moratti recalled that Barcelona had set their asking price, which he did not consider excessive. He believed the amount was fair and was excited about securing the Brazilian forward's services.

He further revealed that Barcelona eventually regretted allowing Ronaldo to leave, while the striker was reportedly delighted to begin a new chapter of his career in Italy.

Moratti also addressed Mourinho’s departure from Inter Milan for Real Madrid in 2010. Despite the intense rivalry between the Spanish giants and Barcelona, he insisted that he had no hard feelings towards the Portuguese manager.

According to Moratti, he could not prevent Mourinho from pursuing his long-standing ambition of managing in Spanish football.

Although Moratti is no longer involved with Inter Milan, the historic rivalry between the Italian side and Barcelona remains an important part of European football history.