MILAN – Two years after calling time on his playing career, Javier Zanetti sat down with Corriere TV for a long chat about his special relationship with the Nerazzurri colours.
"I'm glad the club gave me this opportunity to set out on a new path," he began, speaking of his role as vice president. "It was important for me to remain a part of the great Inter family. I'm in love with Inter and I hope that I can always be useful here. I'm learning so much in this new job because I'm surrounded by highly experienced professionals and they're all helping me. It's great for the future of our club."
The former club captain also discussed his decision to hang up his boots: "At the end of the game against Livorno, when I made my return to action after my Achilles injury, I felt the amazing warmth of the fans again and it was then that for the first time I thought I could retire, because I wanted to end my career on the pitch. My body was still responding and I had plenty of motivation, but the club comes first and I didn't want to think selfishly. I took the decision together with the club. My last match at San Siro – against Lazio – will stay with me forever."
Back on the present, the vice president looked back on the season that's about to end, which he sees as a step towards a great future.
"Inter always aim to be the best. We've finished fourth but we could have done a bit better. In any case, now is not the time to complain. We're on a path, we want to keep strengthening and build something great. We want our return to Europe to be the first step on our way back to the top.
"We need to be more consistent because we were first up until January. Our team is still gelling. The most important thing is that whoever pulls on the Nerazzurri jersey understands what a fantastic opportunity they have. Our club has a wonderful tradition and that must be honoured."
Zanetti, who won 16 trophies in 19 seasons with Inter, also had this to say about the Nerazzurri's 14th Scudetto: "It's a title that I feel is mine. There was a ruling and it was a sad moment for Italian football. You don't need to add anything else. Every club has its own history. We're proud of ours and others will be equally happy with theirs. You have to look forward."
The pinnacle of the Argentine's Inter career came on 22 May 2010 when he lifted the Champions League trophy in Madrid.
"The match hadn't finished. I looked at Samuel and with tears in my eyes I said, 'We've done it!' The first thrill of the night came when we stepped out onto the Bernabeu turf for our warm-up. Our end was packed full and it was an unforgettable moment. We just couldn't mess that one up – it was important for us, for the club and above all for the fans. I often go back to the photos. The look on my face when I raise the trophy to the sky – it doesn't even look like me. But it depicts all the love I feel for these colours."
From Milan to Madrid and back. Six years later, the Champions League final is at San Siro between the two teams from Madrid.
"It's a shame it's not a derby between us and AC Milan but it's part of this spell that Italian football is going through. I'm sure it will rise again."
Zanetti then took time to praise Diego Simeone's success as a coach: "It doesn't surprise me. Like Cambiasso, he was already a coach when he was playing. Cuchu will become a top coach too. Both of them were always talking about football and tactics even after the game ended. Cholo is a friend of mine and he deserves credit because what he's achieved with Atletico is incredible. All the grit he had as a player can be seen in his team."
Zanetti then commented on the number of foreigners in Serie A. "It's part of the game. What matters – more than your nationality – is that you give your all for the shirt when you cross the white line. You want a team that honours the shirt; if you have that then other things aren't important."
It's not only the players who hail from different backgrounds nowadays, as foreign ownership is increasingly common. "The possibility of having new investors from China honours the history of this great club. They are respectable people who want to build something important and make Inter even stronger. Moratti? He'll always be around because he's part of this great family."
