Former Inter Milan president claims he ‘enjoyed eliminating Barcelona more’ than winning the 2010 Champions League

Former Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has recently opened up about his time at the club, when Inter had notably secured the treble in 2010.

Talking about Inter's Champions League triumph in 2010, Moratti has revealed how he enjoyed beating Barcelona more in the semifinal rather than winning the final against Bayern Munich.

The former Inter president also shed light on how he allowed Jose Mourinho to join Barcelona's arch-rival Real Madrid.

Moratti on Inter Milan's triumph over Barcelona

Speaking to AS (h/t SPORT ), Moratti reflected fondly on one of the defining campaigns of his tenure, singling out the last-four victory over Pep Guardiola's Barcelona as the sweetest moment of all.

Moratti was proud to have won against Barcelona. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Jose Mourinho's Inter edged past the Catalans in a dramatic semi-final before defeating Bayern Munich 2-0 in the Santiago Bernabeu final, with Diego Milito scoring twice. Yet for the Italian, nothing topped the joy of knocking out Barça at the Camp Nou.

"I was happier at the Camp Nou. I celebrated reaching the final even more after eliminating Pep's Barça than after beating Bayern 2-0 at the Bernabeu. It was all sensational, without a doubt. Unforgettable ," he said.

The 81-year-old also touched on another notable piece of business with Barcelona, recalling the 1997 signing of Ronaldo Nazario, a deal he felt was far more straightforward than many assumed.

Ronaldo joined Inter under Moratti. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

"Barça set a price. Perhaps they thought it was high, but for me it wasn't. I saw it as interesting, affordable. It was manageable.

" They regretted it, but it was too late. The agreement with Inter was finalized. Ronaldo was delighted to come and play in Italy ," he said.

Moratti was similarly philosophical about losing Mourinho to Real Madrid in 2010, insisting he held no grudge over the Portuguese's departure to a fierce Clasico rival.

The former president explained that Mourinho had always harboured a desire to test himself in Spain, and that he was never going to stand in his way.

While Moratti may no longer be associated with Inter Milan, Barcelona certainly have unfinished business with the Italian giants, having suffered a cruel defeat in the Champions League last year.