July 23, 1997 is the day Ronaldo becomes official. Not Cristiano with Juventus, but rather the Phenomenon with Inter. Because the day before FIFA met in Zurich, at its headquarters, to settle a matter. Moratti and Gaspart were at the meeting, plus the lawyers and presidents of the Federations. This was because Inter had paid the 48 billion of the termination clause and Barça, for its part, maintained that this was only valid for the domestic market. 48 billion was a huge amount, but no one would have expected Ronaldo’s season with the Barça shirt, after his many goals against PSV Eindhoven. Ronaldo, in fact, is the strongest player in the world.
FIFA agrees with Morattibut making him pay another five billion in compensation: a total of 53. On July 23, the resolution of the matter is reported in the newspapers. “Ronaldo is Inter’s” and a temporary transfer is created. “Thank God, I’m coming”, the words of Ronaldo who has just won the Copa America with Brazil and is waiting for France 98 as the World Cup of his consecration.
It will arrive two days later, in Milan. It is perhaps another turning point in our football history, because from then on – and for a few years – Italian football will spend more than anyone else, arriving at having the seven sisters. An era perhaps impossible to relive.