Why are Inter Milan called Nerazzurri? Discover the meaning of the name, why Inter wear black and blue, and how the club began in 1908.
What does Nerazzurri mean?
Nerazzurri is an Italian nickname built from nero (black) and azzurro (blue). In football writing, it refers to Inter Milan and their famous black-and-blue shirts. You will also see the singular nerazzurro used to describe a player or supporter associated with the club. The nickname is not a separate team name: it is a quick way of identifying Inter through the colors that have represented the club since its beginning.
Why did Inter choose black and blue?
The decision goes back to 9 March 1908, when Football Club Internazionale Milano was established in Milan. Giorgio Muggiani, one of the founders and the designer of the original crest, chose blue and black. In the club's account of its own history, the colors recall the sky and the night. Muggiani's first crest brought the FCIM initials together with circles of blue and black and a gold background. The exact shirt patterns have evolved, but the two defining colors have stayed.
What was different about Inter at the beginning?
The new club's name expressed a commitment to international football. It distinguished Inter from the existing Milan club and captured the founders' intention that football could welcome people from different countries. That is why the formal name is Football Club Internazionale Milano rather than simply Inter Milan. The abbreviation “Inter” is now familiar worldwide, but “Internazionale” remains essential to understanding the original identity.
Why are the black-and-blue stripes important?
For a supporter, a shirt is more than a color combination. The black-and-blue stripes link generations of players, historic wins and home matches in Milan. Early designs were not identical: Inter's own historical account describes variation in both stripe number and thickness, sometimes because early kits were made by different tailors or family members. Modern versions change the look almost every season, but a recognizable blue-and-black identity continues to tie them together.
Is Nerazzurri the same as Biscione?
Not quite. Nerazzurri describes the colors, while Biscione refers to the serpent associated with Milanese imagery and used across different periods of Inter's visual history. A fan might use either term when talking about the club, but they come from different symbols. The iconic serpent and the black-and-blue palette are important pieces of Inter culture, not interchangeable translations.
The simple answer
Inter are called the Nerazzurri because they wear black and blue. Those colors were part of the club's foundation in 1908, and the nickname has become a shared identity for Inter supporters around the world. If you are new to following the team, it is one of the first Italian football terms worth learning.
Sources and further reading
- Inter: the club crest through history
- Inter: black and blue, two colours, one club
- Inter: 115 years of history
Independent fan publication. Not affiliated with or endorsed by FC Internazionale Milano. Last fact-check: 7 November 2026. Matchday arrangements and ticket rules can change.
Nerazzurri Pulse is an independent fan publication and is not associated with FC Internazionale Milano.