Javier "Il Capitano" Zanetti

[Dylan]

You don't need to speak Italian to get this.

 

[lonewolf19]

Great pic, Irish

 

[il Biscione 84]

Awesome display as usual from our Capitano whose never too old to impress and run all over the pitch. Forza il Capitanooooo

 

[jmaster]

He's just too good. Grande Capitano!

 

[Besnik]

Il Grande Capitano!

 

[A.l.i]

Can anyone come up with his amazing run in the middle dribbling 3,4 players?? It was LEGENDARY, Looked like the Kaka @ Old Trafford there. :happy:

 

[Michael]

I am translating an interview done by GdS with Zanetti for his record breaking game against Bologna.

"One night, he (Taribo West) invited me and Ivan Zamorano to one of his organized religious services at his home. He said: 'We will pray a bit and then dinner.' We met at 7 and prayed. We still prayed at 9. At 10, we were still praying. And he fed us at midnight."

 

[Michael]

ZANETTI 519

515 games with Inter in Serie A but with the elimination games, tomorrow, he will reach Beppe Bergomi.
The league matches played by Zanetti with Inter are at 515 plus 3 elimination matches: two for the UEFA qualification in 1999 (with Bologna) and one for the preliminary round in the Champions League in 2000 (with Parma).
"I am like Zio: what a record. I will tell you the joys, sorrows, folies, likes and dislikes."
"Sforzo never laughed ever. Winter burned the shoes. Ince warmed himself by puling punches. And once West had me praying until midnight..."

Zanetti-Bergomi
Matches in Serie A (including elimination): 518-519
Matches played entirely: 478-477
Wins: 287-234
Losses: 97-126
Goals: 12-23

Appiano Gentile - Staying on the field for a month straight, never stopping, never coming out. 45,033 minutes already played in Serie A, as in 750 hours, as in 31 days. And tomorrow right, Inter against Bologna, Zanetti will stamp the number 519. 519 just like Beppe Bergomi, 15 years and just like the first time.

Inter versus Vicenza, August 27, 1995, Zanetti, is this true that you will never forget this day?
"Certainly I will not forget the San Siro. I played against Boca at the pit of Bombonera but I had never had 60,000 fans on my side."

What game you will never forget?
"Siena in 2007, my first Scudetto on the field. I never cry like that."

And the game to forget?
"A well-known one on May 5, 2002. A distressing sensation of a year of hard work which was thrown away in less than an hour and a half."

Sleepless before a game?
"Before Parma-Inter, the one with two goals by Ibra. I closed my eyes and saw the Inter-Siena game a week before."

The most difficult time being a captain?
"Florence in 2006. Giancinto Facchetti had died 20 days prior today and I wrote on my armband. 'You are everything a man should be. We will mist you. Bye Giacinto.'"

And the time you took more beatings?
"Inter 1-0 Juventus, goal by Djorkaeff. It was a strong Juve."

The best goal? Yours or from others?
"Mine in Verona in 1996. But the volley of Djorkaeff was just in a different category."

A moment that you would cry?
"When Taribo West threw the shirt in Lucescu's face. And when Ronaldo got hurt against Lazio. I remember the silence of the Olympico which gave me a shudder even now."

The stadium that put you in awe?
"San Paolo. Playing there is more than an emotion."

The opponent that made you say: 'Now I have to play against him?"
"Nedved. I had dealt with him several times on the wing. I remember an Inter-Lazio game and it's been 90 minutes and we hadn't stopped. Both of us."

The teammates that made you feel safer?
"Playing with Ronaldo and Baggio gave me a crazy feeling of strength."

The most crazy?
"Tariob West because of his separation to the attackers. Not only one, not two but like 20 or 30 times. Lippi in training told Taribo: 'Come closer to your striker' and he did nothing. Lippi then stopped the training: 'Why didn't you hear me?' Taribo told him that 'God did not tell me to close my striker down.'"

And the second?
"One night, he invited me and Ivan Zamorano to one of his organized religious services at his home. He said: 'We will pray a bit and then dinner.' We met at 7 and prayed. We still prayed at 9. At 10, we were still praying. And he fed us at midnight."

The most annoying teammate?
"Ciriaco Sforza was not unpleasant but he never ever laughed. Never."

Who didn't you have a feeling for?
"Ballotta. We had two different ways of living in difficult times."

And the coach?
"With Tardelli, it was a player-coach relationship, nothing more. He was the only one."

And the referee?
"Braschi was the only one that actually sent me off and I think I said to him: 'Bravo'. But to be honest it was 'Bravo, but that is enough.' That was after he sent off Bergomi and Colonnese (Inter-Parma, Italian Cup) and then it was my turn."

The teammate that helped you the most?
"When I arrived, it was Bergomi and several teammates that taught me to know and live the reality of Inter."

The biggest talent that was wasted?
"Recoba and it was not just him. A little bit of him and a bit of coaches."

One of the better jokes?
"One time, Winter burned a pair of old shoes and Ince went crazy. And one time Galante, in Napoli, took a water balloon and threw it at a hotel window."

Five faces that come to mind?
"Paula's, Nacho's and Sol's at the second goal by Ibra in Parma. Moratti's in Siena and Facchetti's when we won in Turin against Juventus. The horrible ones were Ronaldo's having cheated in a derby by Seba Rossi and Walter Samue's after the injury."

The five images?
"My goal against Roma (Inter 1-1 Roma, February 2008 ) and Vieira, who were trying to stop me but I was like I am not stopping for anyone. Ince was trying to heat himself by punching a punching ball. Simoni who chased Ceccarini, the one that did not give a penalty for Ronaldo. In the year of Tardelli, a solar shower was put at Pinetina, we looked at each other and laughed. And then the trip to Venezia by a ferry; Ronaldi tried not to vomit and West, who was like a tourist, took a camera and filmed everything."

Tomorrow night is the number 519. At what number will you stop?
"I don't know. But I know that I want it at the San Siro. The place where I almost spend 20 years of my life. Can't be better than at your home right?"

 

[pazzainteramala]

ZANETTI 519

515 games with Inter in Serie A but with the elimination games, tomorrow, he will reach Beppe Bergomi.
The league matches played by Zanetti with Inter are at 515 plus 3 elimination matches: two for the UEFA qualification in 1999 (with Bologna) and one for the preliminary round in the Champions League in 2000 (with Parma).
"I am like Zio: what a record. I will tell you the joys, sorrows, folies, likes and dislikes."
"Sforzo never laughed ever. Winter burned the shoes. Ince warmed himself by puling punches. And once West had me praying until midnight..."

Zanetti-Bergomi
Matches in Serie A (including elimination): 518-519
Matches played entirely: 478-477
Wins: 287-234
Losses: 97-126
Goals: 12-23

Appiano Gentile - Staying on the field for a month straight, never stopping, never coming out. 45,033 minutes already played in Serie A, as in 750 hours, as in 31 days. And tomorrow right, Inter against Bologna, Zanetti will stamp the number 519. 519 just like Beppe Bergomi, 15 years and just like the first time.

Inter versus Vicenza, August 27, 1995, Zanetti, is this true that you will never forget this day?
"Certainly I will not forget the San Siro. I played against Boca at the pit of Bombonera but I had never had 60,000 fans on my side."

What game you will never forget?
"Siena in 2007, my first Scudetto on the field. I never cry like that."

And the game to forget?
"A well-known one on May 5, 2002. A distressing sensation of a year of hard work which was thrown away in less than an hour and a half."

Sleepless before a game?
"Before Parma-Inter, the one with two goals by Ibra. I closed my eyes and saw the Inter-Siena game a week before."

The most difficult time being a captain?
"Florence in 2006. Giancinto Facchetti had died 20 days prior today and I wrote on my armband. 'You are everything a man should be. We will mist you. Bye Giacinto.'"

And the time you took more beatings?
"Inter 1-0 Juventus, goal by Djorkaeff. It was a strong Juve."

The best goal? Yours or from others?
"Mine in Verona in 1996. But the volley of Djorkaeff was just in a different category."

A moment that you would cry?
"When Taribo West threw the shirt in Lucescu's face. And when Ronaldo got hurt against Lazio. I remember the silence of the Olympico which gave me a shudder even now."

The stadium that put you in awe?
"San Paolo. Playing there is more than an emotion."

The opponent that made you say: 'Now I have to play against him?"
"Nedved. I had dealt with him several times on the wing. I remember an Inter-Lazio game and it's been 90 minutes and we hadn't stopped. Both of us."

The teammates that made you feel safer?
"Playing with Ronaldo and Baggio gave me a crazy feeling of strength."

The most crazy?
"Tariob West because of his separation to the attackers. Not only one, not two but like 20 or 30 times. Lippi in training told Taribo: 'Come closer to your striker' and he did nothing. Lippi then stopped the training: 'Why didn't you hear me?' Taribo told him that 'God did not tell me to close my striker down.'"

And the second?
"One night, he invited me and Ivan Zamorano to one of his organized religious services at his home. He said: 'We will pray a bit and then dinner.' We met at 7 and prayed. We still prayed at 9. At 10, we were still praying. And he fed us at midnight."

The most annoying teammate?
"Ciriaco Sforza was not unpleasant but he never ever laughed. Never."

Who didn't you have a feeling for?
"Ballotta. We had two different ways of living in difficult times."

And the coach?
"With Tardelli, it was a player-coach relationship, nothing more. He was the only one."

And the referee?
"Braschi was the only one that actually sent me off and I think I said to him: 'Bravo'. But to be honest it was 'Bravo, but that is enough.' That was after he sent off Bergomi and Colonnese (Inter-Parma, Italian Cup) and then it was my turn."

The teammate that helped you the most?
"When I arrived, it was Bergomi and several teammates that taught me to know and live the reality of Inter."

The biggest talent that was wasted?
"Recoba and it was not just him. A little bit of him and a bit of coaches."

One of the better jokes?
"One time, Winter burned a pair of old shoes and Ince went crazy. And one time Galante, in Napoli, took a water balloon and threw it at a hotel window."

Five faces that come to mind?
"Paula's, Nacho's and Sol's at the second goal by Ibra in Parma. Moratti's in Siena and Facchetti's when we won in Turin against Juventus. The horrible ones were Ronaldo's having cheated in a derby by Seba Rossi and Walter Samue's after the injury."

The five images?
"My goal against Roma (Inter 1-1 Roma, February 2008 ) and Vieira, who were trying to stop me but I was like I am not stopping for anyone. Ince was trying to heat himself by punching a punching ball. Simoni who chased Ceccarini, the one that did not give a penalty for Ronaldo. In the year of Tardelli, a solar shower was put at Pinetina, we looked at each other and laughed. And then the trip to Venezia by a ferry; Ronaldi tried not to vomit and West, who was like a tourist, took a camera and filmed everything."

Tomorrow night is the number 519. At what number will you stop?
"I don't know. But I know that I want it at the San Siro. The place where I almost spend 20 years of my life. Can't be better than at your home right?"

great interview

 

[Suneet]

I shudder at the thought of him retiring. I will cry for days.

 

[blackmore]

I shudder at the thought of him retiring. .

dont even think shit like that sun....

The teammates that made you feel safer?
"Playing with Ronaldo and Baggio gave me a crazy feeling of strength."

HAIZ.....

 

[il Biscione 84]

The most difficult time being a captain?
"Florence in 2006. Giancinto Facchetti had died 20 days prior today and I wrote on my armband. 'You are everything a man should be. We will mist you. Bye Giacinto.'"

The most crazy?
"Tariob West because of his separation to the attackers. Not only one, not two but like 20 or 30 times. Lippi in training told Taribo: 'Come closer to your striker' and he did nothing. Lippi then stopped the training: 'Why didn't you hear me?' Taribo told him that 'God did not tell me to close my striker down.'"

And the second?
"One night, he invited me and Ivan Zamorano to one of his organized religious services at his home. He said: 'We will pray a bit and then dinner.' We met at 7 and prayed. We still prayed at 9. At 10, we were still praying. And he fed us at midnight."

LMFAO @ the Taribo West the useless fuck on and OFF the field The 'God did not tell me to close my striker down' was EPIC! hehe

Molte Grazieeeeeeeeeeeeee Michael !

 

[Fitzy]

The most crazy?
"Tariob West because of his separation to the attackers. Not only one, not two but like 20 or 30 times. Lippi in training told Taribo: 'Come closer to your striker' and he did nothing. Lippi then stopped the training: 'Why didn't you hear me?' Taribo told him that 'God did not tell me to close my striker down.'"

And the second?
"One night, he invited me and Ivan Zamorano to one of his organized religious services at his home. He said: 'We will pray a bit and then dinner.' We met at 7 and prayed. We still prayed at 9. At 10, we were still praying. And he fed us at midnight."[/QUOTE]:lol:

Thanks for the article Michael.​

 

[Michael]

Bergamo interview:

Zio Bergamo, tell us about your Zanetti?
"Well, the first day of the season was in Cavalese which was in 1995. I remember that we had bought Rambert and there was talk of him being a great player for the future and then there is this Zanetti. And in the first training session, ball possession. Pupi did not lose the ball, no one could take it away form him like it got stuck. That day, I swear that I said: 'This guy will make history of Inter.'"

In five years will Zanetti still be a player or already a manager?
"He can do everything from a first team coach or at a youth level. He can even be a director. He has real values that can be transmitted to others, a golden person and not just on the field. He has the experience in the dressing room and games. I suspect one thing that he can also play up to 45 years old. He has a crazy physique and still going strong at the last minute."

Zanetti, at the club, has won everything that you ever dreamed of winning. The things that you would love to win.
"Let's say that I wanted to have a strong team like he did. It never happened to me. One of his merits is that he resisted the dark moments. He suffered and was rewarded with these deserved victories.

Scudetto yes or no? And what impact has Leo had on this team?
"Leonardo, in addition of the returned players, made a very simple thing: he reminded the players that who they really are, the World Champions. Scudetto possibility? Yes but they will need to continue so that Milan start getting scared."

Who will beat Zanetti in 10 years?
"At one point I thought of Santon but for now he has not shown consistency. So I would say maybe a young goalkeeper or... Zanetti."

 

[Bic]

We really had some rough years back then and the fact that Il Capitano have stayed with us for so long proves that he is the ultimate bandiera.

He is the greatest at leftback.

 

[il Biscione 84]

Bergamo interview:

Who will beat Zanetti in 10 years?
"At one point I thought of Santon but for now he has not shown consistency. So I would say maybe a young goalkeeper or... Zanetti."

Read that Davide?! :scream:

 

[Handoyo]

Thanks much Michael!

Unless it's the birth of my child, I will be in Milan for Zanetti's farewell home match.

If I can live until 2100 that is.

 

[skeet]

Thanks much Michael!

Unless it's the birth of my child, I will be in Milan for Zanetti's farewell home match.

If I can live until 2100 that is.

come on han, you can always have more kids

 

[rfU]

LMFAO @ the Taribo West the useless fuck on and OFF the field The 'God did not tell me to close my striker down' was EPIC! hehe

haha funniest shit. thanks for posting :thumbs:

 

[Santiago]

Thanks much Michael!

Unless it's the birth of my child, I will be in Milan for Zanetti's farewell home match.

If I can live until 2100 that is.

Lol, i hope he will stay in Milano for an eternity, even as a manager i don't care i just want him to stay in Inter forrever.