MILAN – After collecting yet another award at this year's Gentleman San Siro, Javier Zanetti spoke from up on stage.
"The good thing is that I'm already closer to making my return! My future? If I can still lend a hand on the pitch that's what I'll do. I've changed tyres now, once I'm in good nick again I'll be back out on the field. Unfortunately it's been a bad season but we have positives to take from it, like Kovacic, for example, who is here tonight. He's the present and future of Inter."
Zanetti then spoke to reporters after the event. "My tyre change is going well! Now I'm just focusing on making a good recovery, giving it the due time. It's been an unfortunate season but we're thinking about the future. We'll start again with the positives and our young players, like Kovacic.
"Stramaccioni? I think the president has been clear enough on that, he and the coach talk all the time and do everything they can for the good of Inter. The president has said he'll speak at the end of the season. I don't want to say too much because what I say gets twisted around, or people say I said things I didn't, or other things like I bring Argentine players to Inter and so on. I'm not going to say anything else. President Moratti and the club are working to make sure Inter are soon challenging again.
"Investors joining the club? Inter will always be the Moratti family but the president makes his own decisions.
"The 12-banner protest at the stadium? Civilised.
"Leonardo argued with Ibrahimovic, is his mind is already in Milan? It was just an argument. He's happy in Paris, and deserves praise for the season he's had. I heard he was taken to hospital and I sent him a message, he told me he is feeling better now.
"Icardi? A great striker.
"Peruzzi? I've already given my opinion on Peruzzi, some people interpreted that to mean I wanted to bring him to Inter. All I'm saying is that he's talented.
"Problems at Inter since Oriali left? Oriali was an important part of Inter but everyone who is here tries to do their best.
"Alvarez? He's proven his worth in recent games.
"Botta? I hope he makes a swift recovery."
