Javier "Il Capitano" Zanetti

[Lionheart]

Forum banner needs to be changed accordingly for the rest of the remaining weeks.

I can imagine Curva going absolutely nuts with a boss banner either against Lazio or Chievo.

 

[Jerry]

Thanks for everything Pupi! We are all blessed to have watched him all these years. Probably very few (if any) of us who were big fans before he arrived.

Great interview here btw (link)

Why did you decide to retire now?
“Because I feel that now is the right time to do it. Because football has given me so much and I have enjoyed every moment. Because after the injury to the Achilles tendon last April, I wanted to demonstrate that you still can return to be competitive and I succeeded. I feel complete and I feel accomplished: to retire at age 41 is a priceless feeling. For me it is something that has immense value, and now is the right time.”

Are you afraid of the day after?
“No, I’m not afraid of it. Surely I will miss certain things, certain aspects of the routine as a player, the moments in the locker room and especially the competition. Still, I think that those who have fears are those who don’t know how to occupy the new free time, and fortunately I have resolved this issue. It’s obvious that nothing will be like before, but I’m ready because I will continue in the world of football and this will keep me alive.”

Will you be a man with a suit and tie?
“I hope that is not necessary. I dreamed to finish my career at Inter, at my home, and I did. It was a life choice to end my career in Italy, and now, in the function of sporting manager, I will try to be useful to the team off the pitch. It opens a new world for me, and that excites me. There will be a thousand things to do.”

When you think you will get carried away by emotions?
“On Saturday there will be a match against Lazio, and although the Curva Nord will be closed for the racist chanting, there will still be many people who will prepare something. When the match against Chievo is over, then, I’m sure I’ll go over my whole career will pass before my eyes. My mother, my father, my wife, my three children, all the people who supported me. Who knows how I will let it go…”

Which matches in your career would you like to play again?
“Two, one to enjoy the moment again and another to change the fate. I would return to play the Champions League final of 2010, to relive the magical night at the Bernabeu. And I would give everything to replay the game against Sweden, the one that caused the elimination from the World Cup in Japan.”

What surprises you most about your career?
“The numbers, statistics. Seeing that I’ve played 1112 games, which is fourth in the table of all time, and that those in front of me are goalkeepers, that I am the only Argentine to have played over one thousand games, that I am the foreigner that has played the most matches in Serie A and only Paolo Maldini has more games played than me. That nobody has played in one club more than me at Inter and in the National team. Sometimes I ask myself: ‘But did I really do all this?’, then it fills me with pride.”

Do you feel recognized in Argentina?
“Yes, even in Argentina I am highly valued, even though it took a little longer. But even in my country I have always received lots of love. Maybe I got too much criticism from some of the press. I have been a champion far away from Argentina and people appreciate this. I see myself as someone that has always left a good image of my country wherever I went, I paid tribute to the colors of Argentina. And then, beyond the results, I always wanted to play with the shirt of my country, despite not having won titles I never wanted to choose the best times to do it or not do it.”

The three of your best teammates of all time?
“Ronaldo, Messi, Baggio.”

The three toughest opponents ever faced?
“Giggs, Zidane and Kaka.”

Do you consider yourself an example?
“I hope so, I don’t know if I see myself as an example, it could be seen as conceited. Yet I hope that anyone can take something positive retracing my career as a footballer. Especially for the way I have built a career.”

Do you ever get angry?
“Yes, more often than most people can imagine. But even in unpleasant moments you can see the good in things.”

 

[satubito]

Arrived in Italy with only his boots in a paper bag and leaves the game as one of the greatest ever. Looking back at all the amazing players who have played at this club makes me optimistic for the future. Go on Javier, enjoy the rest of your life wherever it takes you. You deserve the best!

 

[Matrix_invincible]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnoVhvXoeE4

I am truely and extremly pleased to have seen the greatest Inter legend ever! We had Ronaldo, we had Recoba, we had Baggio, but there is only one Javier Zanetti and he is the biggest Inter player of all time!

Grande Capitano per sempre, forza Zanetti! Thank you for everything!

I could cry seeing Zanetti go while we have so many players in the squad who arent worth to wear the Inter jersey

 

[wera]

Winning the trippletta is not even the biggest accomplishment mister Javier ever achieved. It's his professionalism and his perseverance. I doubt there will ever be a player like him at Inter, player that can be at this level for so long.... even tho the fitness levels have changed drastically since the '90. Be realistic - you knew this was coming.... and celebrate Javier.

I sure will and I will never forget his smile, his beautiful head of hair and his brilliant dribbles. Captain forever.

 

[William]

I don't expect many dry eyes on Saturday, it's going to be a tough game for us to say the least.

 

[shingayi]

Damn, I must admit I cried a little even when Julione was saying goodbye. I wonder how moved I will be on Saturday when Zanetti will do the same... On the one hand I'm sad, but on the other, I'm so proud a person like him was wearing Inter captain band for such a long time.

This is the best movie about Il Capitano that exists on YT, simply beautiful... Nobody could take your place Pupi

 

[JJM]

I admit I cried a little after watching this :epicwin:

 

[Wings]

It's a shame that his last season had to be so meh, both for him as a player and the team as a whole. He really should've been given more games when Jonathan was shitting himself.

 

[Bluenine]

It will be strange to see Inter without Zanetti next season. Its like losing someone from our family. I am lost for words.

Il Capitano Sempre! You will remain the captain of our hearts, always.

 

[Wallace]

They have given you guys this entire season to adapt to not seeing him on the pitch, but people are still not used to it.

Sent from my Nokia Lumia 1520 using Tapatalk

 

[Corba]

I really can't understand how a club in this level doesn't release any information about the retirement of their biggest legend ever, why fans from all over the world can't know if his retirement game will be in 4 days or if there will be a special game for him, they abuse us.

Exactly. I could buy a return trip ticket from Cologne to Milano last week for 60e and now it costs 200e if there is still available one. Club should release this information at least a month ago, so fans around the wolrd could on time buy tickets. Shit. And we still don't know if there will be friendly match or something like that as his last "saying good bye" to football.Shit.

 

[Lui]

Every highlight from now on of Capitano will give me shivers. Even on a world-scale, he will be regarded forever as a gentleman of the game, and one of the best players of the modern era.

Now...I'm going to watch video of him dummying that bitch Nedved for the next 7 hours.

(Update: The ref who gave him a red card, died by lightning strike the next day.)

 

[Jane The Virgin]

i was about to say manly tears, but fuck that noise, ill probably cry like a baby

 

[I4E]

I'm a little surprised he didn't mention May 5th, 2002 as the bad game he would've replayed.

 

[Jane The Virgin]

I'm a little surprised he didn't mention May 5th, 2002 as the bad game he would've replayed.

Dude, way too soon...

 

[Devious]

this is not happening... this is not happening



this is not happening

 

[Universe]

Doesn't play in his last ever derby
Sits on the bench while Jonathan disgraces himself
Curva Nord closed for final home game

So much indignity in this unholy season.

 

[youth projector]

I will buy the ticket and jersey even if it will cost me the whole funds in the world bank.

 

[capitano92]

This isn't fair. I feel like i could write and essay on this man but i just can't seem to find the right words right now. Too be completely honest, it hit me yesterday but it didn't truly break my heart until i read the last 3 pages of this thread. Look at how beautifully this man has impacted our lives and our emotions. Zanetti is part of a select elite only accompanied by the likes of Maldini, Raul, Del Piero etc that will leave there. But this isn't there moment, they had theirs. This is Javiers moment and it really does bitter me that it went down the way it did this year. Last weeks derby was disgusting, our season is all but over and i really despise mazzari for not playing him, if i didn't want him out before last week i do now primarily for that reason. The curva will be closed and this sending off is FAR from what JZ deserves. But im sure we can all take the small season of the bad with the LIFETIME of good that he has given us.

Grazie il capitano, our captain. You will forever be my favourite player of all time and this club belongs to you. <3 :'( :'(