Italian football summer friendlies shift from domestic tradition to international venues

Recent friendly matches between major Italian clubs Milan, Inter, and Juventus in Perth, Australia, highlight a shift in how summer football is organized. Historically, prestigious pre-season tournaments such as the Trofeo Tim, Trofeo Birra Moretti, and Trofeo Berlusconi were held within Italy during the 1990s and early 2000s.

Established by Silvio Berlusconi in 1991, the Trofeo Berlusconi typically featured AC Milan against a Champions League or Copa Libertadores winner, most frequently Juventus. These events served as commercial platforms for major announcements, including player transfers and high-profile farewells, such as Marco van Basten's retirement in 1995.