Echoes of San Siro's Centennial: Costacurta Says Teary Farewell to the Red-and-Black Cathedral as Milan's Rivals March Toward a New Era

Legendary centre-back Alessandro Costacurta bid farewell after a career of 663 appearances for AC Milan. But deep in his heart, he harboured one long-held wish—to play once more on the hallowed turf of San Siro, this time leading a group of old friends who had never set foot on the sacred ground.

Costacurta's 663 appearances rank third in Red-and-Black club history, behind Paolo Maldini (902) and Franco Baresi (719). Across a glittering 22-season journey spanning 1986 to 2007, he collected 24 trophies, making him a permanent icon of the club. In the twilight of his career, this iron wall even handed the board a blank contract with his signature already on it during renewal negotiations, letting the club fill in whatever salary they wished, as long as they kept him on the pitch.

"Money was never what mattered most to me," Costacurta admitted in an interview. "I felt infinitely fulfilled on that green turf, and my heart wasn't ready to say goodbye. I had already accumulated substantial wealth; the only thing that truly mattered was continuing to wear the AC Milan shirt at San Siro."

At the moment of farewell, he wanted to share this one-of-a-kind experience with his closest friends. "I pleaded with the club to keep the stadium just for me," he recalled. "I rounded up a group of friends who had never played at San Siro to come and have fun—among them was my butcher and a bank clerk. We lined up 11-versus-11, the White team against the Red-and-Black team, and there wasn't a single spectator in the stands. That day, they achieved their dream, and I fulfilled my own wish—finally getting to show them San Siro in person."

This weekend, San Siro marks its centennial anniversary. Whether it's the September 19 celebration ceremony or the September 20 league clash between AC Milan and Lecce, the entire venue will be steeped in a wave of nostalgia. However, the stadium has now reached a crossroads. Despite its continued standing, with its iconic spiral ramps and red grid steel structure still breathtaking, formal presentation designs for the new stadiums of AC Milan and Inter Milan will be officially unveiled by the end of this year at the latest.

Back in 2023, overseas media conducted in-depth reports on the myriad difficulties facing Milan's home stadium—the aging venue had long since fallen behind the times, causing both clubs to squander massive amounts of commercial revenue. The debate over San Siro's fate has always been starkly divided. Some insist that the building's aesthetic value is comparable to the Milan Cathedral, La Scala Opera House, and even Da Vinci's The Last Supper. As put by a former deputy mayor and chairman of the Committee to Support Meazza in an interview with overseas media in 2023.

Be that as it may, both AC Milan and Inter Milan know full well that the days of San Siro in its current form are numbered. There are actually four options on the table: demolish it entirely and rebuild from scratch; refurbish and upgrade the existing structure; build a new stadium alongside the old one and then demolish the original; or hold on for a few more years before relocating elsewhere. After an extended period of intense debate and protracted administrative approvals, the two clubs ultimately chose the third path.

"Those spiral ramps and towering vertical pylons are a declaration of Milan's urban architectural style," the former deputy mayor emphasized. "Why would you tear down a historically significant stadium that functions perfectly and sells out from the opening match every season?"

Cherish San Siro while it still stands; we really don't have much time left.

"San Siro is one of the most recognizable sports landmarks on Earth," Costacurta mused. "I've faced off against or played alongside countless incredible players there. People often call it the La Scala of football."

San Siro has served as AC Milan's home since 1926, when it was funded by the club's chairman at the time, Piero Pirelli, son of the founder of the renowned tire company. On September 19, 1926, AC Milan kicked off the stadium's inaugural match against their crosstown rival Inter Milan, with Inter taking the victory 6–3—worth noting that Inter didn't officially move in until 1947.

The stadium's most striking middle-tier stands, featuring 11 towers and spiral support structures, were completed in 1955 during an expansion that surged capacity from 35,000 to 85,000. At the time, AC Milan supporters eagerly awaited the chance to witness "Gre-No-Li"—the dream trio of Swedish forwards Gunnar Gren, Gunnar Nordahl, and Nils Liedholm—in action on the pitch.

In 1980, the stadium was officially renamed Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in tribute to the legendary striker who made 408 appearances for Inter and played his final two seasons with AC Milan. In preparation for the 1990 World Cup, a top tier was added, complemented by the highly distinctive red trusses, completing its visually striking space-shuttle-like aesthetic.

"San Siro is an extraordinarily special place," said former AC Milan midfielder Demetrio Albertini (1988–2002) to overseas media. "It is undoubtedly an iconic stadium, brimming with emotion and memories that will forever be etched in my heart. If I had to name the most impressive stadiums, the Bernabéu (Real Madrid) and Camp Nou (Barcelona) hold their own—they're equally recognizable but stylistically distinct. The fans are different too; ours are more passionate, and the emotions are far more intense."

Costacurta knows every brick and tile of San Siro, and he also understands perfectly the powerful impact of playing within those iconic walls.

"Some people thrive on that pressure, others are terrified by it, but I feel it carries an almost sensual power," he said. "From that moment on, I told myself I absolutely had to play for AC Milan in this stadium. It gave me boundless motivation—from age 13 to 19, the only thing on my mind was one day standing there, wearing the red and black, and passing the ball to a teammate beside me."

"When you're in the tunnel waiting to come on, your stomach tightens involuntarily. You can genuinely feel that sensation deep inside. Then when you score or deliver a brilliant performance, the roar of the crowd hits you like a tsunami. I've played at Wembley, the Santiago Bernabéu, and Camp Nou, but no crowd anywhere has matched San Siro. Nineteen years later, I still remember that feeling vividly—it truly is one of a kind."

Albertini (406 appearances for Milan between 1988 and 2002) added: "Even after playing so many matches at San Siro, the emotion there never truly left me. When the fans react to poor performances, you can genuinely feel that impact, much like sensing energy building up before you kick off. I never got used to it, whether the feedback was positive or negative. I always tried to harness that emotion and channel it into performing better."

He still recalls the moment after his final match in 2002, walking around the pitch to bid farewell to the fans, with thousands staying behind to applaud him. Costacurta's experience was no different—his farewell performance was the 663rd match against Udinese on May 19, 2007.

"That was the first time I truly felt the fans' gratitude toward me, perhaps something I only realized at that moment after an entire career," Costacurta reminisced. "For 20 years, we were like friends—the fans and me—but sometimes friendship actually makes it harder to fully express emotion. But in that match, we did. When I left the stadium for the last time, some 10,000 fans were waiting for me. I couldn't even drive—there were just too many people. What an incredible expression of love it was."

Recently, Costacurta also recalled the 2003 Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan, which ended 1–1, with AC Milan advancing on the away goals rule. Two years later, in a Milan Derby, Milan goalkeeper Dida was hit in the head by a pyrotechnic device, and the image of Rui Costa and Marco Materazzi locking eyes amid the red-smoke-filled San Siro has since become an indelible moment in football history.

"While at AC Milan, we always wanted to put on a show," Costacurta said. "We wanted to be the best team in the world, but also play the most entertaining football. We were elegant."

The legends they created have long transcended the bricks and mortar of the building itself, and those precious memories will accompany them into AC Milan's new home. That said, the debate over San Siro's fate has dominated virtually all of Milan's sporting discourse for over a decade.

The stadium is undeniably an integral part of Milan's rich historical and cultural tapestry, but the practical considerations are equally clear: the beloved old venue is outdated, and its two "tenants," AC Milan and Inter Milan, have been missing out on significant commercial revenue and sponsorship opportunities. They watch enviously as Tottenham Hotspur's new stadium rises; AC Milan's owner and club chairman knows full well that the Rossoneri truly need a brand-new cathedral.

Their neighbours at Inter Milan share the same view.

The final nail in San Siro's coffin came in September 2024—UEFA stripped Milan of hosting the 2027 Champions League final, citing inadequate stadium facilities; the venue's current state has also disqualified it from hosting the 2032 European Championship.

Last November, AC Milan and Inter Milan purchased the land from the Milan city council for €197 million—finally clearing a critical administrative obstacle. The new Milan Stadium project, led jointly by Foster + Partners and MANICA, is expected to break ground in 2028, with AC Milan and their crosstown co-tenants Inter Milan slated to move in by 2031. At that point, the old stadium will be completely demolished, brick by brick, tower by tower, vanishing from history—leaving behind a ruin of ghosts and echoes, forever unable to recreate the vibrant, intoxicating atmosphere that has captivated fans every weekend up until now.

Famed singer Bruce Springsteen has performed at the stadium more than five times since 1985. In a 2019 interview, he stated: "Tearing down San Siro? That would be terrible. Every building has its own soul, with its unique spiritual life. As long as they're still there, I love performing inside them. New buildings don't have that soul."

Albertini holds a completely different view. "I've played at many stadiums that were later rebuilt—virtually every venue I've played in has undergone renovation since—but regardless, what endures is always the stadium's soul," he said. "And San Siro's soul will carry over into the new stadium."

You can understand if Costacurta sides with Springsteen. Yet, despite spending most of his life at San Siro and living near the stadium, sometimes people must make difficult choices for the sake of long-term happiness and security.

"Look, I once thought I had found the love of my life, and I married her, but we divorced after a year," Costacurta admitted candidly. "A month after the divorce, I met another woman, and I've been living with her for 32 years. So this is a pretty apt analogy."

"I have very deep feelings for San Siro, but I believe the club genuinely needs something new and modern. You have to let the story keep moving forward. I've probably been to this stadium over 500 times. I've played competitive matches for AC Milan, friendly matches, and even matches with the national team here. But I completely understand why the club needs to evolve."