Javier "Il Capitano" Zanetti

_OC_ said:

We've been so lucky to have someone like him at our club. C'è un solo Capitano, undoubtedly.

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_OC_ said:

COMNEBOL held an official tribute in honor of Pele, who as you might well know is hospitalized with Covid- and cancer complications, in Doha.

No Brazilian players, or anyone else according to the OP, turned up.

Only Pupi and Nery Pumpido.

https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/zje7kj

"It is a pride and an honor to be at the tribute to Pelé. He was an inspiration to all of us who love football. I had the opportunity to meet him in person and what he transmits is a source of pride. He never divides, he always unites. And they are these values that football has to convey. As an Argentine, I've always admired him for his behavior on and off the field. I wish Pelé and his family a lot of strength, because we need him to stay with us."

We've been so lucky to have someone like him at our club. C'è un solo Capitano, undoubtedly.

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Zanetti witnessed Argentina beat France in the World Cup Final at the Lusail Iconic Stadium on Sunday. He joined celebrations on the pitch, hugging Leo Messi and his partner Antonella Roccuzzo after the PSG superstar had lifted the trophy.

Zanetti briefly spoke to La Gazzetta Dello Sport before returning to Italy on Monday morning: “It’s a great emotion the lads gifted us, especially because we’ve been waiting for it for so long - They crowned the dream of millions of Argentineans worldwide,” he sid.

“It was an amazing Final. We Argentineans suffered because everything seemed to be running smoothly but then France had a great reaction. Martinez’s save was crucial.”

After Argentina’s win inspired by Leo Messi, many believe the PSG superstar has overtaken his compatriot Diego Armando Maradona becoming the best player in history.

However, Zanetti refuses to be involved in the argument and is just happy that the best players in history are both from Argentina. “I don’t like comparison, we should just be happy that the best players in history are Argentineans,” he said.

“Messi hasn’t changed. I think he is just more mature and I believe he has transmitted his leadership to all the guys.”

Zanetti made his Argentina debut in November 1994 and scored five goals in 145 appearances with his national team.

He played in two editions of the World Cup, in 1998 and 2002. Zanetti spent almost his entire playing career in Italy, joining the Nerazzurri in 1995 from Banfield.

The former defender played 615 games in Serie A, scoring 12 goals. He won, among other trophies, five Serie A titles, four Coppa Italia and one Champions League. He retired in the summer of 2014 becoming the club’s vice-president in 2014.

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Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti reveals he held talks with Lionel Messi when the Argentinean star left Barcelona but the Serie A giants ‘could not compete economically’ with PSG or Premier League clubs.

Messi left Barcelona at the end of his contract in 2021, joining Ligue 1 giants PSG on a free transfer. His compatriot Zanetti tried to secure his signature that summer, but could not match the offer made by PSG.

“I was surprised when he [Messi] left Barcelona,” Zanetti told DAZN, as quoted by Calciomercato.com.
“Realistically, we cannot compete with PSG or Premier League clubs, but due to our rapport, we spoke when there was a chance.”

The Nerazzurri beat Milan in the Derby della Madonnina on Sunday, securing their second win in 20 days against their city rivals.
They sit second in the Serie A table, but are 13 points below runaway leaders Napoli who lost their only game of the season against Inter at the Stadio Meazza in January.

“We could have done more in the league, we miss some points, but it’s part of a path that this team is consistently carrying out,” noted the ex-defender.
“Mistakes are normal with such a packed fixture list, but I’ve always seen a team that wants to impose its style, trying to cause trouble for opponents.
“We’ve been able to react to difficulties and I find that some criticism has been exaggerated.”

Zanetti inevitably touched on Skriniar’s contract extension: “We offered him a contract within our financial reach, but he made a different choice. Now we need to put him in the best condition to give his best until the end of the season.”

Matteo Darmian, on the other hand, signed a new deal with the Nerazzurri last week.
“He is a symbol of Inter, he is quiet, committed and always ready to help the team.”

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Inter Milan Vice-President Javier Zanetti: “Turned Down Real Madrid, Man United & Barcelona To Stay At Inter”​

Speaking to UEFA TV, via FCInterNews, the Nerazzurri executive and former captain looked back on that match and noted the importance of hattrick hero Adriano.

Inter faced the same opponent in the round of sixteen during the 2004-05 campaign as they do this time around in the form of Porto. The Nerazzurri got the better of that tie, having drawn the first leg and then beaten the Portuguese side 3-1 in the reverse leg at San Siro.

Even though the Nerazzurri ended up being eliminated by city rivals AC Milan in the next round of the competition, by an aggregate scoreline of 5-0 no less, it was still a great European night at San Siro, highlighted by a brilliant individual display by Adriano.

“The 1 -1 draw in the first leg was positive for us, we knew that in the second leg reaching the next round would be in our hands,” Zanetti looked back at the tie.

“It was a team of great men, with great quality, and strikers who could make the difference at any moment,” the Argentine continued.

Of legendary former Nerazzurri striker Adriano, Zanetti said that “He dragged us along in that match, he was a brilliant player. He had great power, physical strength, and technical quality, a very strong left-footed player.”

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ZANETTI: ‘MORE POSITIVE LUKAKU IN RECENT WEEKS, LAUTARO BELONGS AT INTER’​

The Nerazzurri have emerged as the best of the rest in Serie A this season behind the charging Partenopei, but poor results like their recent 1-0 loss to Bologna have continued to plague Simone Inzaghi’s side. Inter have found positivity in the Champions League this campaign and already have one foot in the quarter-finals after their win over Porto in the first leg.

Speaking on the sidelines of Gianluca Pagliuca’s book launch, Zanetti first gave his memories of the former Inter goalkeeper.
“Gianluca was a great teammate, I was lucky enough to play with him, I arrived very young and he taught me a lot. He was an example to follow and undoubtedly one of the strongest goalkeepers in Inter’s history.”

He touched on what kind of goalkeeper Andre Onana is.
“He is very reliable and positive. He is doing very well. The role, like football, has changed, you play more like your feet and you need technique.”

He was asked about the two different versions of Inter, between the various cups and Serie A.
“The most important thing is that none of us look for excuses. I heard what the coach and Lautaro said and when you hear them acknowledge that things were not done up to standard you have to start again. There are so many close games, and we have to give an answer as early as Sunday.”

The Nerazzurri vice-president spoke about the leadership role of Lautaro Martinez.
“He is showing since he arrived at Inter that sense of belonging. He transmits it both on and off the pitch.”

Zanetti was asked how long it would take to see the ‘real’ Lukaku on the pitch.
“He’s improving a lot, he had a very serious injury, which kept him out for a long time, and it’s not easy to recover fully given his size.
“However, I think we are seeing a much more positive Lukaku in recent weeks.”

He discussed Napoli’s incredible season and if that made Inter’s work look worse in comparison.
“First of all, we have to recognise the great season Napoli are having under Luciano Spalletti, something extraordinary. Then we are aware of having left a few points on the road that we shouldn’t have left.
“We must not look for the culprits, but for solutions. It’s not that Inzaghi has to give more, we all have to give more: club, players and coach. We are a team, merits and disappoinments belong to everyone.”

The Nerazzurri vice-president looked ahead to the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Porto.
“We’re very confident, we showed in the first leg that we played with character. The return leg will not be easy, but we will be ready.”

Finally, Zanetti was asked why Inter have dropped points to smaller teams this season.
“I wish I had the answer. You always work to improve, we didn’t have consistency and we didn’t close out games and they caught up with us in the result. We overcome difficulties all together, we expect a great response against Lecce.”

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Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti fully admits their Serie A results are ‘unacceptable’ and the Champions League quarter-final with Benfica will ‘decide the future too.’

It has been an extraordinary journey in Europe, getting through a group with Bayern Munich and Barcelona, then eliminating FC Porto in the Round of 16.

They are also in the Coppa Italia semi-finals against Juventus, drawing the first leg 1-1, but in Serie A they have slipped to fifth place and lost at home to Monza at the weekend.
“Inter are a strong team and the Serie A results are unacceptable, but the team is with Simone Inzaghi,” Zanetti told La Repubblica during a youth tournament.

However, there have been reports Inter are prepared to sack the coach if he fails to reach the Champions League semi-final, most likely appointing current youth team boss Cristian Chivu as a caretaker manager for the rest of the season.

Zanetti did not seem to deny this was a possibility when talking about the Benfica clash.
“It is a game that will decide the future too. It is an issue of mentality, I cannot explain the difference in performances between Serie A and the Cup competitions.”

La Gazzetta dello Sport also reported that Inter have decided not to renew the loan agreement with Chelsea for Romelu Lukaku.
“He is still paying the after-effects of that injury.”

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“Right now, the club and the coach seem unable to make the players understand what the objective is in the league, and how important it is,” he argued.

“In the Champions League it’s easy for players to turn it on, it’s a showcase for them,” the former midfielder suggested.

Parolo didn’t hold back in arguing that “The players are going into business for themselves, at the moment the players are only thinking about showing off in the Champions League.”

“If you don’t feel a sense of belonging, then all you’re thinking about is showing off for yourself.”
“That’s just how players are,” Parolo observed.

“The task of the club and the coach is to make you feel the weight of playing for Inter,” he added.

“At the moment that’s what seems to be missing at Inter.”

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