When Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi had been on the top of their rivalry in Spain, the 2010 UEFA Champions League Ultimate in Madrid was remembered for one more purpose: Inter Milan’s historic treble. On the Santiago Bernabéu, captain Javier Zanetti lifted the membership’s third European Cup alongside fellow Argentines Walter Samuel, Esteban Cambiasso, and Diego Milito, who scored twice to defeat Bayern Munich. Led by the enduring José Mourinho, Inter returned to the highest of Europe.
However among the many stars, there was an adolescent most followers had by no means heard of—Ben Greenhalgh, an 18-year-old Englishman who celebrated on the pitch with a gold medal round his neck regardless of not taking part in a single minute. His journey to Inter was not like some other: he had gained a actuality present.
In 2009, whereas Messi and Ronaldo battled weekly for supremacy, Sky Sports activities launched “Soccer’s Subsequent Star”, a actuality TV competitors geared toward discovering Britain’s subsequent nice participant. Greater than 2,000 children entered, however solely 9 made the ultimate lower, chosen by Inter’s youth coordinator Marco Monti.
The prize? A six-month skilled contract with Inter Milan. Greenhalgh, from Orpington close to London, gained the competition and joined one of many strongest squads in trendy soccer historical past, a crew that went on to win the Serie A, Coppa Italia, and Champions League in the identical season.
Coaching with legends
For Greenhalgh, it was a dream come true. “I used to be coaching with gamers I used to play as on FIFA,” he later informed The Solar. “Working alongside Lucio made my legs flip to jelly, and when Quaresma handed me the ball, it felt surreal.”
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Although Mourinho by no means gave him minutes on the pitch, Greenhalgh nonetheless skilled unforgettable moments: being within the locker room at Camp Nou after Inter eradicated Barcelona and celebrating the Champions League triumph in Madrid. Since he was a part of the touring squad, UEFA awarded him a winners’ medal, making him the one English participant in Inter’s historical past to win the trophy.
Life after Inter
After a brief mortgage spell at Como, the place he scored eight objectives in 12 matches, Greenhalgh struggled to seek out stability in skilled soccer. He performed in decrease leagues in England and Scotland earlier than finally shifting into semi-professional soccer.
Remarkably, he additionally pursued different passions. He labored as a Cristiano Ronaldo physique double, copying the Portuguese star’s actions for commercials. Later, he even stepped in as a double for Diego Costa, although he recalled the striker being lower than cooperative.
By 2021, Greenhalgh discovered a brand new residence at Margate FC, a small English membership, the place he mixed taking part in with teaching duties. When head coach Reece Prestedge left in 2024, Greenhalgh was promoted to supervisor, all whereas nonetheless scoring objectives on the sphere.
A singular legacy
At 32, Ben Greenhalgh embodies a uncommon story in soccer: a participant who went from actuality TV to lifting essentially the most prestigious trophy in membership soccer. Whereas his skilled profession could not have reached the heights of Messi or Ronaldo, his Champions League medal, golf profession on the PGA circuit, and training journey guarantee his title stays unforgettable in soccer folklore.
