Barilla, one of the world’s best-known Italian brands, played a memorable role in AS Roma’s history during the 1980s.

Now, the iconic pasta brand could be on the verge of returning to football after a lengthy absence from the sport. During that period, Barilla has focused on partnerships with prominent athletes, including tennis legend Roger Federer and Brazilian footballer Kaká.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter Milan is in advanced negotiations with Barilla to make the Italian pasta producer the club’s official pasta partner in a symbolic agreement.

The potential partnership was already mentioned in Inter’s financial statements for the financial year ended June 30, 2026, which outline the evolution of the club’s sponsorship portfolio and commercial activities following the end of the season.

The document, cited by Calcio e Finanza, states:

“Following the close of the financial year on June 30, 2026, new partnerships were signed with BBVA (shirt sleeve sponsor) and LMDV Capital (in connection with the Acqua Fiuggi brand, ed.), while contract renewals with Campari and Frecciarossa, as well as a new partnership with Barilla, are at an advanced stage.”

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the agreement has yet to be finalised but notes that the deal would fit into the commercial growth strategy of the reigning Italian champions.

Last month, Inter signed a global partnership agreement with banking group BBVA, which became the club’s new shirt sleeve sponsor. The deal brought the total value of Inter’s shirt sponsorship agreements to €72 million.

The potential Barilla partnership is not expected to carry the same financial weight as other deals involving the club’s playing kit. However, it would have significant symbolic value, given the international recognition enjoyed by one of Italy’s most famous brands.

If completed, the agreement would mark Barilla’s return to Italian football after its historic partnership with AS Roma, where it served as the club’s main shirt sponsor for 13 seasons, from 1981-82 to 1993-94.

The partnership began shortly after Italy’s top-flight league first allowed Serie A clubs to display commercial sponsors’ logos on their kits.

Barilla’s association with Roma coincided with one of the most successful periods in the capital club’s history. During that era, Roma won the Serie A title in the 1982-83 season, lifted the Coppa Italia three times and reached the 1984 European Cup final against Liverpool.

However, Barilla’s logo did not appear on Roma’s shirt during that final because of European competition regulations at the time.

A potential deal with Inter Milan would therefore bring the iconic Italian pasta brand back into the spotlight of domestic football, more than three decades after its memorable association with Roma.