MILAN - A spectacular career both on and off the pitch, and one that still continues with the Nerazzurri. Javier Zanetti today turns 45, having spent 23 years with us Interisti.
Once a clear transfer target for Massimo Moratti, he arrived at Appiano Gentile for the first time in the summer of 1995. His Nerazzurri entrance was subtle, with a humble attitude that has remained for his entire career: “We keep the ball. He never loses it, it always remains stuck to his feet. On that day I thought he would make history with Inter,” says Zio Beppe Bergomi when recalling his first training session with Javier. From that moment, the legend had begun.
Zanetti chose the No.4, one that he would never abandon during the next 19 years. A stint made up of 858 appearances (never achieved by anyone else with the Nerazzurri), 21 goals and 16 trophies: including one Champions League, one Club World Cup, one UEFA Cup, five Scudetti, four Coppa Italia trophies and four Supercoppa Italiana titles. Following his period as captain, record-breaker and Inter icon (also making 145 appearances for the Argentina National Team), he eventually retired at the end of the 2013-14 campaign, aged 40-years and 281-days old: “I dreamt of finishing my career at Inter, my home, and I am proud to have done it.”
The end of his time on the pitch soon led to the start of a new chapter, however, as Zanetti became Inter vice-president. A role that would allow him to proudly spread our Club’s values across Italy, Europe and the World, also linking him eternally to the Nerazzurri colours: “It is an honour to think about spending the rest of my life with something I hold so dear. My family and I have enjoyed our best years here, and for me, this is Inter.”
On behalf of FC Internazionale Milano, Inter Forever and all the Inter fans across the world, we’d like to wish Javier Zanetti a very Happy Birthday!
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