COLOGNO MONZESE (MI) - Javier Zanetti was the guest on the TV programme "Undici", and there were eleven photos that he discussed, one by one. The Nerazzurri captain recounted his life both on and off the pitch over the course of the episode that aired on Mediaset Italia 2.
The first photo depicts an Argentina in crisis. "There are still a lot of problems, not just economic ones but social problems as well. Many children are suffering and it’s upsetting, because every time I go back to my country I don’t see the Argentina that I remember. I believe that anyone who has had the privilege of doing well for himself and can return to his own country to help out knows how much it means. I hope I’ll be able to do it for a long time," Zanetti explained.
Next a photo was displayed that evoked a sense of tenderness: a would-be champion, Sebastian Rambert, an incredulous Javier Zanetti and the great Giacinto Facchetti. "He was considered the better player? Rightly so, since he had finished as top scorer in Argentina. I was the unknown one and a gamble for Moratti. Back then I never imagined I’d still be here. Eighteen years of great pride – I’ll always thank him for it."
Then they arrived at 1998, with the victory in the UEFA Cup final at the Parc des Princes in Paris: "That was my first European trophy. I can recall a great evening, the happiness of having scored a goal and the pride of seeing my father in tears of joy along with me."
Ronaldo and Iuliano, Inter and Juventus; what could it be other than Calciopoli? "It makes me really sad to recall those years. Two great clubs fighting to achieve a goal. That was a very sad game for us, but it’s in the past now and there’s no sense in commenting on it."
Diego Armando Maradona, joy and sorrow: "He was always my idol, not just for me but for the entire country of Argentina. I had the experience of having him as a coach of the national team, but then he decided not to take me to the World Cup in 2010, which was probably my best year with Inter. I spoke to him once and he told me we’d discuss it over a coffee…"
In Appiano Gentile for a barbeque with team-mates. "It’s something particular to Argentina that we do everywhere we go. I pretend I can cook, but the real barbeque master is Walter Samuel. He’s very good. I limit myself to simply eating."
The derbies of the past, present and future: Javier Zanetti v Paolo Maldini. "He’s one of the greats and I’ve always admired him, as both an opponent and a man. My relationship with AC Milan players? It’s always been good, even beyond the football rivalry. The Rossoneri fans? What I like is how they’ve always treated me with a lot of respect, which is very important for a player."
Ronaldo in tears on that May 5th. "It was one of the saddest days of my life. It all seemed like a done deal. We didn’t get going in that game until it was too late. We could have won it earlier. We arrived at that moment with all the strength we had left, but it wasn’t enough. It will always be a bitter memory for us and for all Inter fans."
The unforgettable Champions League victory in 2010. "One of the greatest moments. I had been pursuing that cup for a long time, and captaining the team and raising that trophy meant so much to me. A moment like that will always remain in our hearts."
From the Champions League to José Mourinho. "A great. What is it that’s special about him? He’s always ahead, quite simply. A coach that’s always well prepared, he studies the game like few others and he’s a winner. Before the final in Madrid he told us we’d come this far and only needed to write that chapter in Inter’s great history. He’ll always be part of the great Nerazzurri family."
The final photo displayed his meeting with Pope Benedict XVI. "I was very excited. I also had the good fortune of having my family there with me. Seeing the Pope take my son into his arms was one of the most profound moments I’ve ever experienced."
Zanetti then went on to talk about coaches, past and present: "Mancini got us back to winning again. He’s a great coach. Stramaccioni leaving me on the bench every now and then? It’s right for him to do so. I’ve always said to every coach that I’m one of many players available to him, and that I’d take to the pitch only if I were in the right shape to help my team and do my part. Lippi? We were very hopeful but in the end we didn’t manage to do well. Benitez? We didn’t really bond. Cuper? A great coach who perhaps deserved more."
He ended things on current events. Could AC Milan perhaps get the better of Barcelona? "I think so," replied Zanetti, but the Barcelona players "are good because they all have good feet, and their passing game can cause problems."
After having revealed whom he considers the best between Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona ("Maradona at that age wasn’t doing the things that Messi does"), which team could win the Scudetto ("Difficult to say now. The standings are tight and it will be a fight to the end. Napoli won’t give up"), and when he might stop playing football ("There’s not much time left. How much? I don’t know. Two or three years. But no, I won’t become a coach"), Zanetti then revealed his ultimate starting XI, although he limited his choices to ex-team-mates: "Julio Cesar, Maicon, Bergomi, Cordoba, Roberto Carlos, Veron, Vieira, Figo, Baggio, Zamorano, Ronaldo".
