"The time has come to call it a day" - Javier Zanetti
With these simple words, the legend Javier Zanetti told Inter fans the news they never wanted to hear. The captain of 1000 battles, the warrior, the man who wrote several pages in Inter's history gave up as a player at the end of his 19th season with black and light-blue jersey.
"It's a great feeling to be able to retire at nearly 41 years old when I am still feeling good. Football has given me a lot and I have enjoyed every minute of it." Zanetti told Argentinean newspaper La Nacion.
Zanetti didn't find much playing time this season after returning from a ruptured Achilles tendon, but simply taking to the field once again after that potentially career-ending injury has given him one final satisfaction at the end of his career.
"I wanted to show everyone that I could play again in a competitive level, and I fulfilled my mission" - Javier Zanetti
Zanetti was one of the first signings in the Moratti era, since the former president bought Inter in February 1995. In that summer Inter landed two argentinean youngsters, Rambert and Zanetti.
Sebastián Rambert was a young forward playing for Independiente, Argentina. He was the future star of argentinean football. All the newspaper talked about him and almost nothing were said about Zanetti, a RB coming from Banfield.
It's the 5th of June of 1995, not a random date, but the beginning of a long story between our glorious club and one of the most important players of its history.
Buenos Aires born and bred, Javier Zanetti began his footballing career in his homeland, making his debut with lower league side Talleres aged 19. For him 33 apps and 1 goal.
Then the move to Banfield, a bigger team with greater visibility and where a talented youngster like him can really prove his abilities. After the first year with Banfield, first division giants River Plate and Boca Juniors came knocking but Zanetti decided to stay on for another year at the club.
History was ready to be written. After 2 years, 66 apps, 4 goals and a call-up from the national team, Zanetti left Argentina to join Inter Milan.
Zanetti made his debut for Inter on 27 August 1995 against Vicenza in Milan. Twenty years later, having spent the majority of his career in Italy, Zanetti can boast a personal trophy cabinet which includes winners medals for 5 Serie A titles, 4 Coppa Italias, 1 Champions League, 1 UEFA Cup and 1 Club World Cup.
Javier Zanetti's trophies
5 Serie A's
4 Coppa Italia's
4 Supercoppa Italiana's
1 UEFA Champions League
1 UEFA Cup
1 FIFA Club World Cup
Javier Zanetti is the type of player who only comes along once every generation, but his playing career was so decorated and so long that it lasted for two. The amazing Argentine and loyal Inter Milan captain will finally call time on his glittering career at the end of this Serie A season.
The listed achievements above speak for themselves , but nothing says more highly of his character and quality than this: He was the first, and until 2012, only non-Italian to captain a Serie A side, and he wore Inter’s armband every year since 1999.
Zanetti, a versatile player who could be deployed as a wingback, fullback, winger or midfielder, led by example, embodying the world “professional” , through a record 858 matches.
He guided Inter Milan in the 2009-2010 season, ended with the victory of the legendary Treble. In Madrid, 22.05.2010 he raised in the sky the Champions League trophy on his 700th appearance for the side.
"The statistics are astonishing. When you think I've played something like 1112 games and I'm the only Argentinean ever to have exceeded 1000, and that I am the foreign player who has played the most Serie A games with only Paolo Maldini having played more in the history of Italian football. I'm proud of this." - Javier Zanetti
Zanetti’s inclusion in Pelé’s ‘Fifa 100’ list of the game’s greatest living footballers is yet another testament to the Argentine’s incredible career.
What the 178 cm tall man Zanetti may lack in physical stature, he has certainly made up for in terms of spirit, determination and stamina, qualities that earned him the nickname “El Tractor” in Argentina on account of his trademark lung-bursting runs up and down the right wing. In Italy, Zanetti has not only gained credits and the admiration of Inter faithful fans for his energy and longevity, but also for his dependability and leadership qualities which have transcended across an incredible 15 different managerial teams and hundreds of team-mates including former World Player of the Year winners.
Zanetti in fact represents the bridge between two Inter generations, the one constant within the walls of the Giueseppe Meazza who has seen it all, witnessing so many defeats and yet so many moments of euphoria and happiness. In many regards, Javier Zanetti is Mr Internazionale. No doubt about it.
Over the years, several clubs tempted him with offers—Real Madrid and, most recently, Chelsea. He never wanted to leave. He loved only Inter and he didn't betray them.
It was a dream for him to play that first game in San Siro, and it was his dream to finish his career with Inter. He has realised them both.
Though he will leave the playing field, Zanetti will remain a part of the club to whom his heart belongs by taking up a role in the management next season.
“I am proud to be part of this great family that is Inter.” - Javier Zanetti
Thank you again, Captain !
