Walter Adrián Samuel is an Argentine former professional footballer. Samuel has been regarded as one of the best centre-backs of his generation, and as one of football's toughest defenders, with former international teammate and Inter captain Javier Zanetti referring to him as the "hardest player" he has played with.

The 2009–10 season was Inter Milan's 101st in existence and 94th consecutive season in the top flight of Italian football. This was manager José Mourinho's second and final season with the club, before his departure to Real Madrid.