Milan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	AC Milan
Alias(es)	Milan; Rossoneri
Affiliation	Italian football; Serie A
Occupation/Role	Professional football club
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Identity

• Milan wear red-and-black striped shirts; the club’s number 10 became closely associated with Huang Kaiwen after Rui Costa agreed to switch to number 14 so Huang could take it. 4
• The club’s supporters include the South Stand, a hardcore fan group with a historically contentious relationship with Paolo Maldini. 175 394
• Milan’s internal Knights’ Table is described as a mechanism for unifying the squad’s thinking rather than an authority organization. 532
• The club anthem, “Milan, Milan,” is a central part of matchday ceremonies and supporter culture. 578

History

Shanghai tour and Huang Kaiwen’s signing

Milan’s return visit to Shanghai introduced Huang Kaiwen to the club. After he entered a friendly against Shanghai Shenhua in the 76th minute, scored twice, and assisted another goal in a comeback win, Carlo Ancelotti chose to sign him. 1 3

The club rapidly concluded Huang’s first professional contract and presented him in Shanghai with the number 10 shirt. His arrival excited the squad, which saw him as a potential addition alongside Kaká and Shevchenko. 4

Calciopoli crisis

During the Calciopoli scandal, Milan publicly suspended vice president Adriano Galliani and other officials while inviting investigations into the club. Barbara Berlusconi framed this as an effort to establish the club’s responsibility and protect its standing. 163

The Italian Football Federation ultimately allowed Milan to remain in Serie A, while deducting 25 points from the current season and imposing a ten-point deduction for the following campaign. Galliani and Meani received three-year football bans. 166

Huang Kaiwen’s departure and return

After Huang’s departure, Milan temporarily retired the number 10 shirt. His influence nevertheless remained visible: players and staff continued to invoke his achievements and celebrations as part of the club’s identity. 178 186

Upon his later return, Huang became both a player and coach within the club structure. His influence extended to recruitment, tactical decisions, commercial matters, and the club’s dressing-room hierarchy. 452 462

Modern dynasty

Pep Guardiola joined Milan as manager, inheriting a star-filled squad and appointing Huang as club captain. 455 460

When Guardiola was injured, Cesare Maldini served as acting coach while Huang took a leading role in match preparation and touchline decisions. 532 537

Arsène Wenger later took charge, working closely with Huang as Milan continued to combine elite recruitment, youth development, and sustained domestic and European success. 624 636

Honours and Major Results

Competition / Event	Result	Notes
UEFA Champions League final vs. Barcelona	Champions	Huang scored four goals, including the 93rd-minute winner, to secure Milan’s second consecutive Champions League title. 170
UEFA Champions League final at Wembley	Champions	Milan defeated Real Madrid, with Huang scoring all of Milan’s goals; he lifted the trophy at the stadium where Cesare Maldini had led Milan to its first European Cup 48 years earlier. 519
Serie A	Champions	Milan completed the first perfect league season in Serie A history. 672
Coppa Italia	Champions	Huang scored a hat-trick in the final. 559
FIFA Club World Cup	Champions	Milan defeated Corinthians 7–0; Huang scored five goals and provided an assist. 645
UEFA Champions League final vs. Barcelona	Champions	Milan won despite being reduced to seven players against Barcelona’s ten after a mass sending-off incident. 681 682 683
UEFA Super Cup, 2024	Champions	Milan defeated Atalanta; George won his first trophy with the club. 770

Facilities

Saint Kevin Stadium

Milan’s new stadium plan received city-council approval for a UEFA-standard, five-star venue with more than 70,000 seats. 412

Known as Saint Kevin Stadium, it initially seats 80,000 and was designed for possible expansion to 100,000 and then 120,000 seats. It became a major Milan landmark alongside surrounding facilities. 634

Milanello and training infrastructure

Milanello is portrayed as one of football’s leading training bases, with advanced medical and training resources complementing the club’s squad investment. 497 515

The club also uses technology to monitor players’ physical indicators, tailor training, and reduce stress on vulnerable areas. 825

Youth Academy

• Milan’s academy recruits from Lombardy, across Italy, and internationally; many local families view proximity, schooling, and the club’s stature as factors when choosing a youth system. 453
• The academy had produced 51 players active across 12 Italian clubs, excluding graduates who had moved abroad. 748
• Milan generally does not force academy graduates to leave if they wish to remain, emphasizing long-term belonging to the club. 825
• The club’s later first teams prominently featured second-generation players and relatives of Milan legends, including Huang Paolo, Kevin Maldini, George, Shaqueel Van Persie, and Carl Clark. 803 804 805

Key Figures

• Carlo Ancelotti — Signed Huang Kaiwen after the Shanghai friendly and later returned to work with Milan’s next generation. 3 4 808
• Barbara Berlusconi — Club chairman who directed crisis management during Calciopoli and oversaw major institutional decisions. 163 452
• Huang Kaiwen — Milan’s number 10, captain, player-coach, and the defining figure of the club’s modern dynasty. 4 455 462
• Paolo Maldini — Milan legend, senior club figure, and member of the club’s leadership culture. 4 683
• Pep Guardiola — Manager who inherited Milan’s elite squad and collaborated with Huang on tactical decisions. 455 456
• Arsène Wenger — Manager known as “the Professor,” who worked with Huang while maintaining Milan’s domestic and European dominance. 624 636

Notable Records

• Milan’s 58-match unbeaten run is remembered as a club benchmark that later teams sought to surpass. 17
• The club won a Serie A season with a perfect record, an unprecedented achievement in the league’s history. 672
• Milan defeated Udinese 13–0, breaking the club’s prior single-match scoring record of 12 goals. 548
• Milan defeated Real Madrid 13–0 at home in the UEFA Champions League, with George scoring a hat-trick. 778