Mayor of Bournemouth is a Milan Supporter: ‘May the Best Team Win’ as Cherries Host Rossoneri

FolioPitch.com – 22 October 2026 | There is a unique twist to Bournemouth‘s historic Europa League clash with AC Milan on Thursday night, as the Mayor of Bournemouth is a Milan supporter. ‘May the best team win,’ he says, encapsulating the dilemma of a man torn between his birthplace and his adopted home. The Mayor of Bournemouth is a Milan supporter May the best team win – a phrase that perfectly captures the extraordinary situation facing Roberto Rocca, an Italian-born Rossoneri fan who now leads the English seaside town.

The match, which kicks off at 20:00 UK time (21:00 CEST) at the Vitality Stadium, marks the first-ever competitive meeting between the two clubs. Their special bond dates back to the 1970s, when Bournemouth began wearing red and black stripes in honour of Milan. That connection adds extra poignancy to a night that Rocca describes as ‘a historic day and a unique opportunity in my life.’

Rocca, who was born and raised in Milan and moved to England in 2013, has been a lifelong Milanista. ‘I went to San Siro many times to watch the games, so I had a passion for Milan,’ he told Sky Sport Italia. Yet his affection for Bournemouth is equally deep. ‘Bournemouth is my city now. It welcomed me, gave me so many opportunities, including the chance to become their Mayor. So I will above all be cheering Bournemouth on, but obviously my heart will always be Milanista.’

When the Europa League draw pitted the Rossoneri against the Cherries, Rocca could hardly believe it. ‘It is certainly a historic day and a unique opportunity in my life. It’s a combination of coincidences that can happen only once in life,’ he said. The Mayor of Bournemouth is a Milan supporter May the best team win – a sentiment that resonates with fans of both clubs as they prepare for an emotional evening.

So which result is he hoping for? ‘May the best team win, I hope it is a great game of football, and above all a wonderful evening. If there were goals on both sides, it’d be even better,’ Rocca added with a smile. His diplomatic answer reflects the delicate balance he must strike, but also the genuine joy he feels at seeing his two footballing worlds collide.

The Mayor of Bournemouth is a Milan supporter May the best team win – and his story has captured the imagination of both sets of supporters. For Bournemouth, the match represents a landmark moment in the club’s history, as they host one of Europe’s most storied sides. For Milan, it is a chance to reconnect with a kindred spirit in English football, a club that has proudly worn their colours for nearly five decades.

As the teams walk out at the Vitality Stadium, all eyes will be on the Mayor of Bournemouth is a Milan supporter May the best team win – a narrative that adds a human touch to the cold statistics of a Europa League fixture. Rocca’s journey from the stands of San Siro to the mayor’s office in Bournemouth is a testament to the power of football to build bridges between cultures and communities.

In conclusion, Thursday’s match is more than just a game; it is a celebration of a unique friendship between two clubs and a mayor who embodies the spirit of both. The Mayor of Bournemouth is a Milan supporter May the best team win – and whatever the result, Roberto Rocca will be a winner on a night that promises to be unforgettable for everyone involved.