Inter Milan carry unwanted Real Madrid curse into Champions League clash at Bernabéu

Inter Milan will face Real Madrid in the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League opener at the Santiago Bernabeu, carrying a heavy burden from their long-standing European rivalry. The Nerazzurri have not tasted victory over their Spanish counterparts in European competition since 1998, when Luigi Simoni's Inter triumphed 3-1 at San Siro.

Since then, Real Madrid has claimed each of their four meetings with Inter, both at home and away. The scale of Inter's drought is evident, as they have changed their crest twice since that last European success, yet have yet to secure another win against these 15-time European champions. The older chapter of Inter's history against Madrid is not devoid of triumphs, however.

Helenio Herrera's Inter edged out Real Madrid 3-1 in the 1964 European Cup final, a result that stands as one of the defining moments in the Italian side's storied past.