Inter Milan, the reigning Italian Serie A champions, have secured a Ministry of Investment (MISA) licence from Saudi Arabia, marking a significant step in their strategic expansion into the Middle East. This move is aimed at enhancing the club’s brand presence in the region and growing their fanbase.
With the MISA licence, Inter Milan plans to establish several ‘Inter Academy’ soccer schools in Saudi Arabia, further extending their global network of academies, which already includes locations in London, Toronto, and the USA. The club has also committed to supporting the development of youth and women’s football in the Kingdom.
Inter’s ties to Saudi Arabia were strengthened this summer when they won the Italian Super Cup, held in the Kingdom, with a 1-0 victory over Napoli. The Super Cup has been hosted in the Middle East six times in the last decade, with next year’s edition also set to take place in Saudi Arabia, underlining the growing relationship between Italian football and the region.
The club’s efforts in Saudi Arabia have already seen results, with over 5 million Arabic-speaking fans now following Inter’s social media channels, making it the second-largest fanbase within the Nerazzurri community.
Alessandro Antonello, CEO Corporate of Inter Milan, expressed pride in the club’s achievement: “We’re extremely proud to be the first international football club to obtain the MISA licence. This will enable us to collaborate with local businesses and bring our expertise in sports development to the country, contributing to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals. Through this licence, we aim to create value by supporting the sporting sector and involving local businesses in our global network.”
Inter Vice President Javier Zanetti added, “At Inter, we focus on developing young players, not just in football but as individuals. We’re excited to bring our expertise to Saudi Arabia, making an impact beyond the pitch in both social and cultural spheres.