MILAN – A rock in Inter's defence for more than 12 years, Ivan Ramiro Cordoba unveiled his autobiography in Milan today. It was the perfect opportunity for the player to greet the fans who loved him and never cease to remember his comebacks, sacrifices and triumphs on the San Siro turf.
"I am very proud to be here for the presentation of this book. A very dear person to me Paolo Orlandoni helped bring this about, together with my family.
"I've never been the kind of person to talk about my childhood or what goes on inside the changing rooms. I convinced myself in the end, however, because I realised that everything that's happened in my career so far has been like a dream.
"Even my daughters are discovering things about my life from the book, so this is another great reason to write it. I'm able to open up my past to them and that's been a huge pleasure for me. Casting my mind back to those periods while writing the book made me feel good because it's rare that I take a moment to actually think about what I've achieved. I'm chuffed to be here with everyone who has been a part of my life and appears in this book."
Cordoba also covered a few moments from his life and his Nerazzurri career at the presentation: "There was an inner core within that team that laid the foundations for what we went on to achieve. We would give everything and at the beginning there was some strange force that prevented us from reaching our goals. It was only later that we realised what that strange force was.
"There was a spirit around the team, even when we were on the end of defeats, that generated the incredible joy we experienced later. We never could have had the joy without those losses. I still remember the moment when we lifted the trophies. The first Coppa Italia was like a dream for me; to go from Colombia to that victory was incredible.
"I had a special relationship with Roberto Mancini because he showed complete trust in me. I once suffered an ankle injury that really knocked me back, but he turned to me before a Coppa Italia game and said: 'It's an important match, I want you with me.' You need to feel your importance to the side and that you're able to contribute. However, the most important thing has to be the group. If you add trust from the coach to this, then you feel like you can get to every ball.
"Mourinho is a phenomenon because he's always able to understand when each player is in peak condition."
Massimo Moratti – under whose presidency Cordoba played 455 times for Inter and won five Scudetto titles, four Coppa Italias, four Italian Super Cups, one Champions League and one FIFA Club World Cup – also spoke at the book presentation: "I'm happy to be here with Ivan. I first saw a clip of Cordoba on tape and it made a big impression on me. Lippi had told me about him. I was usually very strict and would always say no immediately. Nevertheless, I was struck not only by the attributes he's famous for – strength, determination and speed – but by the fact that he always had the important roles at previous clubs: free-kicks, penalties, dictating play. He had a big personality and always sorted out the defence, whoever he was playing with."
There was a surprise in store for Cordoba and everyone present as Javier Zanetti popped up with a video message all the way from China: "You're a fighter on the pitch and even more so off it. I have no doubts that your book will be a huge success. All the best, bro."
