Inter: the ones that got away

Roberto Carlos

It was Roy Hodgson who was manager at the time Roberto Carlos was let go, and he just didn't see the Brazilian as a good defender. Happily for him, Real Madrid stepped in and helped him realise his potential as possibly the best left back of all time.

Dennis Bergkamp

Inter changed owners in 1995 and Bergkamp found himself surplus to requirements. Arsenal stepped in and he made to move to North London for only €7.5million. The rest is history.

Fabio Cannavaro

Cannavaro was allowed to swap Milan for Turin as Juventus signed him for €10million in 2004. Two years later he had captained Italy to the World Cup and won the Ballon d'Or.

Ronaldo

It was his relationship with Hector Cuper that cut short his time at San Siro, as his level of play certainly hadn't dropped. Real Madrid paid €55million for his services and the two-time World Cup winner made his way to Spain. Interestingly, he played for both Milan sides as well as Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Andrea Pirlo

An awful mistake. It must be a constant source of pain to Inter to know they let this man leave. It must make it worse that he went on to achieve enormous success with both Milan and Juventus. As a Milan player he won the Champions League twice as well as a couple of Serie A titles.

Clarence Seedorf

Seedorf went the same was as Pirlo. In 2002 he moved across town and donned the red and black, becoming a key player in his first season and helping Milan to win the Champions League.

Philippe Coutinho

Finally, Inter Milan sold a young Coutinho to Liverpool for only €13million. Five years later, the Brazilian moved to Barcelona for €160million, the third most expensive player in history. If only Inter had known what they had.