Italian club go viral after appointing 23-year-old ‘glamorous’ tycoon heiress as president

Ternana Calcio, a small club in Italy, has captured widespread attention after appointing daughter of wealthy businessman Gianluigi Rizzo as the club’s new president, sparking a wave of new fans from all over Europe.

Claudia Rizzo, 23, now makes history as the first female president in Ternana’s 100-year existence. Her beauty, elegance and high-profile lifestyle quickly captured the heart of football fans.

Photos of Claudia attending training sessions and meetings in stylish outfits paired with high heels went viral, with many praising her as the “world’s most glamorous football president,” The Sun reported.

Fan engagement surged overnight. One supporter commented, “Never heard of Ternana before today. I’m now a lifelong supporter.”

“Ternana fan from today,” another fan wrote.

Fans are even planning trips to Terni just to see Claudia in person.

“I don’t speak Italian – but Ternana till I die,” one added.

On the pitch, Ternana remain a mid-table team in Serie C, the third-tier league of Italian football, but the global online attention has made them one of the most talked-about clubs in the country.

At her first press conference on Sept. 20, Claudia said: “I am honored to assume the presidency of a club with such a prestigious history as Ternana Calcio, in the year of its centenary. Our goal is to build a solid, modern, and transparent project that puts people and the values of sport at its center. We will work with determination to restore enthusiasm and pride to all the fans.”

Although Claudia admits she has limited football management experience beyond watching the team on TV, she emphasized her passion for the sport and her background as a former pentathlete.

“I’m supported by people who have already experienced this world,” she added. “The stadium project is very exciting, for the club and for the city. I am a huge fan of the club. It’s a difficult task but also a great opportunity.”

Her father Gianluigi is a businessman in the private healthcare sector and owner of the Villa Claudia Group, which acquired Ternana, Diario Mas reported.

Before taking over Ternana, Claudia managed her family’s olive oil business in Sicily.