Inter Milan's new badge has been leaked ahead of a 2021 update which will also involve the Serie A giant changing their name.
The club are reportedly going for a new, modern look to celebrate their 113th birthday in March. The club's official title is also said to be changing from "Football Club Internazionale Milano" to simply "Inter Milano".
This reflects how the club is usually referred to internationally (Inter Milan, rather than Internazionale) - and feeds into the new logo. The current badge had the letters FCIM in the design, while the new one just has IMO (for Inter Milano).
The leak came via a Nike product sample, as reported in Footy Headlines. It features a gold and black design, surrounded by a thick circle. The star above is something an Italian club can wear for every 10 league titles they win (Inter currently have 18 Scudetto).
The Inter logo changing to a less cluttered design mirrors a move made by Juventus in 2017. Their new "J" crest upset some traditionalists, but the Turin club believe it has helped in attracting modern sponsors and globalising the Juve brand.
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With a new crest and a simplified name, Inter may be hoping to follow a similar path.
The club are engaged in a legal dispute with the American League over David Beckham's new side being named Inter Miami. The Italian side claim the term 'Inter' is synonymous solely with them and are suing for trademark infringement.
Global investment - which is part of the aim behind Inter's branding update - is urgently needed. The club are struggling financially during the coronavirus pandemic with player wage payments reportedly delayed on several occasions.
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At least things are going well on the pitch. Antonio Conte's side knocked AC Milan out of the Coppa Italia in a bad-tempered quarter-final on Tuesday - and sit second in the Serie A table: two points behind their city rivals.
Even if Inter do officially unveil this new badge in the coming weeks, it won't be the only time the Nerazzurri have changed their logo. From 1978 to 1988, they wore a snake badge as it's one of the symbols of the city of Milan.
The new crest - and potentially club name - may take a bit of getting used to for dedicated Inter fans. But it's definitely not the most radical badge change modern football has seen.
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Featured image credit: PA Images
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football News, Internazionale, Football, Serie A, Inter Milan
