APPIANO GENTILE - It was 27 August 1995, Inter v Vicenza at the Stadio Meazza in San Siro. Roberto Carlos scored a rocket with that left foot of his and Javier Zanetti made his first appearance in Serie A. Times have changed but the ageless boy from Buenos Aires is still here with us. And he seems younger today than he was then. A club symbol, undoubtedly, but perhaps more than that a friend, a brother, an ally, a reassuring presence that is always behind you, and who this evening at 21:00, under this black and blue sky, will light up a special edition of Prima Serata on Inter Channel, with Edoardo Caldara and Roberto Scarpini.
"I do think about it sometimes, it's a big thing to be a captain for a generation. It's exciting and it fills me with pride." That was Pupi's reply to Martina, the lucky Inter Channel subscriber picked out to chat with Zanetti. "I love the fans. You've given me so much over the years; you welcomed me with open arms when I was a young lad. I've met lots of fans down the years and all of them, in their own way, have given me something important: affection."
What about the future? Zanetti is never caught off guard: "The future is Sunday. First and foremost we have to end the season well, and see it out hoping we can snatch a Champions League berth. Then we'll see what will happen and what plans the president and the club have. I'm always willing to help. I'm happy, I feel good and I hope I can keep giving my contribution: on the pitch, on the bench, in the stands, wherever. That's the same thing I've always said to the coaches."
