MILAN – Alongside Javier Zanetti and his Fundacion Pupi at the charity event organised in Milan this evening was Ivan Ramiro Cordoba. The Nerazzurri team manager and his wide Maria Isabel have been helping Colombian children since 2004 through their Colombia te quiere ver Foundation, which finances projects providing medical and social aid. The former defender explained: "This evening is about helping children in need. Now I have even less time for the Foundation than I did before, but you make the time anyway if it's to help others."
From solidarity to one of the hot topics of the moment: Wesley Sneijder. Cordoba explained that he now finds himself having to relate to the Dutchman in a different way than when they were team-mates: "It's all a new experience for me. In many of the situations I find myself in, I just go with my instinct. All sorts of situations I mean, not just those concerning Sneijder. I've known him for years, we respect each other and we talk about lots of different things. He knows that when there's respect, everything else can sort itself out. No one has ever questioned his importance. We hope it all works out positively, for him and for us."
As for Inter's targets, the team manager explained that "Inter are working on a new project and that's what matters the most. We'll add everything up at the end. We're still in transition and that means we need to work harder than other teams like Juventus. Would I still like to be playing? Of course, you always have that, but I'm concentrating on my new job now."
As for his captain and friend Javier Zanetti, Cordoba revealed that he thinks he could carry on next year, because "the way he's playing at the moment he could continue. Having a world-class player like him in the side is such a bonus."
On Fredy Guarin: "I have great faith in him because I've known him for a long time and I've always known that he's got exceptional ability. He brings so much to the team. He must keep plugging away and turning it on when he gets the chance to play. Our team is a tough nut to crack and that's great, everyone fights together. Is Juan Jesus my heir? I'm not going to talk about heirs but he does have enormous talent and potential. Hopefully he'll carry on as he's doing with the same responsibility."
