As Cristi Chivu called Sergio Mattarella today, in the speech delivered at the Presidential Palace in Rome
Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published on Tuesday, 12 May 2026 22:04 / Updated on Tuesday, 12 May 2026 22:07
After visiting Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Saturday, Cristi Chivu and the Inter players were received today at the Palazzo Quirinale by the president of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, ahead of the final of the Italian Cup with Lazio, scheduled at the “Olimpico” in Rome.
According to tradition, the Italian Cup finalists are invited to the presidential palace in the Italian capital, where they met Sergio Mattarella today. The President of the Republic first received the Lazio delegation, the Biancocelesti players and coach Maurizio Sarri, then Cristi Chivu and the new Serie A champions.
“Hello everyone. Thank you for the invitation to a symbolic place like the Quirinale Palace. President, you not only represent the highest office in the Italian state, which you hold with great merit and commitment, but you are also a man of sports and of many values.
“It's a big responsibility to be here, since, as coaches and athletes, we have to be the bearers of these values”
It is a matter of great pride for us at Inter to be here to celebrate the Coppa Italia final, where we face Lazio tomorrow night at the Stadio Olimpico.
The Italian Republic recognizes the educational and social value of sport, and for us it is an important responsibility to be here today precisely because, as coaches and athletes, we must be bearers of these values. And we have the duty to be an example for all the boys and girls who follow us”, was the message sent by the coach of the Nerazzurri.
Cristi Chivu handed president Sergio Mattarella a personalized Inter flag for the Coppa Italia final with Lazio / Photo: X
Cristi Chivu ended his lecture with the promise that “tomorrow, both we and Lazio will try to honor this great competition by giving the best version of ourselves on the pitch. Thank you, Mr. President, thank you very much for everything.”
I am happy to have found a team with the same ambitions as mine. The strength of this team is to understand what we stand for, what club we are, what has been achieved in the last five years, where this team always wins or finishes second, and has played in three European finals. I tried all the time to be calm and to be as ready as possible to fight on all fronts, as these players and this club are used to
– Cristi ChivuInter's coach, at today's press conference
