MILAN – Inter’s 2016 reached a stunning climax on 21 December as Ever Banega lit up San Siro with an irresistible performance.
It was his long-range stunner which set the Nerazzurri on the way to victory; his pinpoint assist that allowed Mauro Icardi to put the game to bed 11 minutes later; his undeniable class that drew applause from the entire stadium, as the fans paid tribute to a truly remarkable player.
It was a glimpse of the Banega who won plaudits from all corners during his time at Sevilla, the team he led to two Europa League triumphs – earning the man of the match award in both finals to boot.
Banega has always been a man for the big occasion, ever since he was a youngster. In the summer of 2007, the Rosario-born midfielder won the Copa Libertadores with Boca Juniors, prompting Argentine legend Juan Roman Riquelme to declare: "Thanks for all the praise, but did you see how well that 19-year-old played in the middle there?" It was a match that also caught the eye of another Boca fan and former Inter man in Roberto Baggio.
In the same year, Banega was the one providing the assist for Sergio Aguero to haul Argentina level in the U20 World Cup final against the Czech Republic. It proved to be the catalyst for Argentina’s 2-1 victory over the Czechs, as Banega announced his arrival on the world stage. He was well on the way to becoming a star in his home country, with the schemer receiving more media attention than the likes of Aguero and Angel Di Maria.
Back then, Banega wore the No.5 jersey. The number is associated with the historic mediocentro position in Argentina, a role made famous by the great Nestor Rossi, who drove the legendary River Plate side of the 1940s. Not only did Rossi’s River Plate achieve wild success, but they also laid the foundations of modern football as we know it.
Banega’s skills as a playmaker are perfectly complemented by his innate ability to find a team-mate in a killer position in behind the opposition’s defence. His way of reading the game is quite different to the norm, necessitating a team that sets up to allow him the space to create. And given that time to think, Banega does the rest with wonderful precision.
"In his mind, he’s a No.10," was how Jorge Griffa, the greatest talent scout in Argentine football and the man who discovered Banega, once described him. It was Griffa who persuaded Banega to leave his hometown of Rosario – not to mention his beloved Newell’s Old Boys – for Buenos Aires and Boca Juniors.
It was at Boca that Banega grew into one of the hottest prospects in world football. Soon, Spanish side Valencia were shelling out nearly €20m for his signature, no doubt enamoured with his glossy skills. Griffa, however, had identified another side to Banega: "The thing that most struck me about Banega, right from the very first time I saw him play, was not so much his technical ability as his mentality. That’s the main reason he has made it."
It is a mentality based around doing the talking on the pitch, not off it. Many column inches have been used up pontificating as to his best position in this Inter side, yet nobody with any sense has dared to question his quality.
Banega has never paid too much heed to paper talk. His truth resides on the football field, not in the media. On his right calf, just under a tattoo of the Newell’s badge, are the words "Solo Dios me entiende" – only God understands me.
Perhaps he’s right. Perhaps we mere mortals are unworthy to pass judgement on a player who seemingly operates in another dimension entirely. And perhaps that match-winning performance against Lazio was the moment that the Nerazzurri faithful fully realised they have one hell of a player on their hands.
Carlo Pizzigoni
