PADUA, Italy, May 9 (Reuters) - Passionate Inter Milan fan Enrico Vanzini went to the club's San Siro stadium to watch his team play for the first time in 2022. He was 99.
"My passion began when I was seven ... I was never able to go, and I had no money," Vanzini, now 100, told Reuters.
A Holocaust survivor, Vanzini is now looking forward to Wednesday's Champions League semi-final showdown against city rivals AC Milan, and will follow the first leg match from the comfort of his nursing home in the northern city of Padua.
"I prayed to God to give me the joy of Inter winning, and hopefully He will agree," he said, wearing an Inter t-shirt with his name inscribed on the back.
"I would do anything (for a win), including (giving up) my small pension."
A soldier in the Italian army during World War Two, Vanzini was captured by the Germans as a prisoner of war after Italy surrendered to the allies in 1943 and survived the final months of the conflict in the Dachau Nazi concentration camp.
After returning home, he worked as a bus and truck driver.
Vanzini, who received his Inter t-shirt from the club to mark his 100th birthday, began testifying about his experiences of the Holocaust in the early 2000s.
He starts his mornings gazing out of the window, waiting for the postman to deliver him la Gazzetta dello Sport, Italy's most popular sports newspaper. He also has an iPad, and has learned how to watch sports from the apps.
"In the past, I used to visit friends who had a television ... and if I was driving the bus I used to tell people: 'Don't shout please, I have to listen to something'." It was the radio commentary of Inter's games.
He admires team manager Simone Inzaghi, saying he made "very few mistakes". But he has a suggestion to help the team defeat Milan and reach the first Champions League final since 2010.
"In the first half, we must not get too tired, everyone must be in their place," he said.
Writing by Angelo Amante, editing by Pritha Sarkar
wincdilprt
1
You are a true football fan 👏
Cohaeilopt
3
it would be city vs inter final mark my words and inter will win it somehow!
Liwdlpru
3
that's great good luck grand pa
ciycdrstuz
2
With all due respect old man, keep ur pension. Non of Inter or Milan will win CL against city or madrid. Next time if u are still alive, Sir.
Milan or Inter can never lose 2ucl finals to either Madrid or City in 3years like Atletico Madrid.
bucbcdlmou
2
I fear u end up getting high BP
MalikyMusty
1
woo this is love 💕. I pray ur team win for u old man
Bouaeiosuy
1
Safe yourself from heart attack grandpa please 🙏
Aderounmu123
6
Wow I am always happy when I see someone at 100 years God is good and it’s not everyone God give this kind of grace
Vozlmopsuy
5
all the best papa .....
Dj_Muller
3
Grandpa want to gamble with pension money😂😂
debbclrsu
6
grandpa may God grant your wish
johdeimn
1
We Madrid fans would like to tell you sorry in advance 😭🤭
City is sorry for u boy, Gud luck
Rumawa
5
With all due respect old man, keep ur pension. Non of Inter or Milan will win CL against city or madrid. Next time if u are still alive, Sir.
Jentle18
0
We Madrid fans would like to tell you sorry in advance 😭🤭
LIVERPOOLIAN_INTER
5
I’m with you Great Grandpa