On Friday, October 10, an unusual friendly match was played at Benghazi International Stadium in Libya. Inter Milan faced Atlético Madrid in a game held under the patronage of the Libyan Development and Reconstruction Fund.

Match beyond sport

The international break usually brings a quiet period for European club football. This time, however, Inter Milan and Atlético Madrid used the break for a warm-up test before their next Champions League challenges. The two sides will meet again on November 26 in the fifth round of the league phase at Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid.

The friendly encounter took place in Benghazi, Libya’s second-largest city. The match was staged at the renovated Benghazi International Stadium, which only a few years ago had been closed due to poor technical condition and the political situation in the country. The event was part of a project aimed at rebuilding Libyan sports infrastructure.

© Benghazi International Stadium | Benghazi International Stadium

Why did Inter and Atlético play in Libya?

The decision to play the match in Benghazi was no coincidence. Organizers emphasized the symbolic nature of the event. The friendly was intended as a gesture supporting the rebirth of football in Libya after years of isolation and conflict.

The Libyan Development and Reconstruction Fund (FDRL), which sponsored the event, presented it as a step toward normalizing sports life in the country. Although it was only a friendly match, there was more at stake. The winner received a trophy called the Reconstruction Cup – the FDRL Cup. As organizers highlighted, the award also carried diplomatic significance. The match was perceived as a gesture of cooperation between Italy, Spain and Libya, as well as a sign of support for the country’s reconstruction after years of turmoil.

The match ended 1–1 in regular time. A penalty shootout was needed to determine the winner, with Atlético Madrid coming out on top to lift the Reconstruction Cup.

© Libyan National Army | Benghazi International Stadium