Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince spent two years at the Giuseppe Meazza, where although he didn’t’ win any accolades, he was admired by the Nerazzurri faithful for his stint between 1995 and 1997.
He made an immediate impression in Serie A and won over the Curva Nord with his tenacious displays – one of which was a memorable night that he reckons made him feel like a king of the city for one night.
That night happened to be a Derby della Madonnina encounter against eternal derby rivals Milan.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia (via CalcioNews24), Ince reminisced his early playing days in the Nerazzurri jersey and pointed the high-profile derby as his highlight moment.
“At Meazza, I experienced the warmest atmosphere. The Milan derby, when Inter played at home, with those smoke bombs I couldn’t see the player next to me. The atmosphere was incredible. And the following night it’s like I’m the king of the city. When you win the derby you can do whatever you want in Milan. Eat, drink for free, dance: whatever you want. You’re the king of the city for one night,” he explained.
He also placed Inter’s song for him as the best he has experienced, alongside Manchester United fans choiring his name at Old Trafford.
He said: “The best choir for me? I do not know. Maybe the United fans when they sang to me ‘Paul Ince, the governor’. But I also liked the ‘Come on, Paul Ince’ of the Inter fans even though it was short. I would say both.”
Ince spent the most memorable at Old Trafford winning two successive Premier League titles, along with the the European Super Cup and UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1991, among many other trophies.