This man with three sons, whose full name is Javier Adelmar Zanetti, was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina on August 10, 1973. The footballer who almost joined Manchester United at the beginning of his career finally spent 19 years of mass devotion with Internazionale Milano. With 15 seasons of them passed as captain.
Zanetti stopped playing football at the age of 41 as a full-back by presenting 16 titles including 5 Scudetto, 4 Italian Super Cups, 4 Coppa Italia, 1 champions league, 1 Club World Cup and 1 UEFA Cup.
Recorded 858 matches, 21 goals, two decades, and glory, has been presented by Javier Zanetti for his lover, Inter Milan. Even when he declared himself retired in 2014, he did not leave his heart. At present, Zanetti serves as Inter’s Vice President.
Before becoming a great footballer and becoming an Inter legend, Zanetti’s career was not always smooth. When he was little, Zanetti only made football for the sake of pleasure, not a dream. But over time, he began to seriously consider football as his way of life.
Zanetti is the son of a builder and cleaner. It grows and develops in an area in Argentina called Dock Sud. The environment in which it develops is not a taste, luxury environment.
However, during these difficulties, residents of Dock Sud are so close to each other, helping each other. From life lacking, Zanetti learned about tolerance and struggle.
Zanetti then began his career on the Junior Independiente team from 1982 to 1989. At the club, he played as a striker. A position that matches the character. He likes to dribble, stab into the penalty box and release a crossing-bait.
However, over time, Zanetti’s position continued to change. First, he became a midfielder, then shifted again as a defender. A bleak period came to Zanetti when he was expelled from Independiente because he was considered too thin.
After being “kicked” from the academy, he helped his father work on building projects. From here, Zanetti learns about hard work even deeper. Even so, not long ago, he joined the Talleres club.
At the club, Zanetti signed his first professional contract. Then in 1993, he moved to Banfield and got his first call in the Argentine National Team one year later.
“One night when we were touring in South Africa with the Argentine national team, Coach Daniel Passarella knocked on my door. He said: ‘Javier, Inter Milan wants to buy you’, “Zanetti recalled (Quoted from Fedenerazzura.net)
Zanetti was shocked. he doesn’t believe Italian giants like Inter Milan are interested in him. At that time, Massimo Moratti had just been elected president of the club. Zanetti became the first player the Italian oil king wanted to buy.
Moratti’s decision is not without controversy. As a big club that wants to dominate Europe, Inter’s decision to buy vague players from Argentina is considered as carelessness. However, Zanetti proved that Moratti was not wrong in choosing him.
“At that time, Inter bought several young players. Besides me, Inter also bought Roberto Carlos (Brazil), Sebastian Rambert (Argentina) and Paul Ince. Since the foreign player quota is full, I thought that I would be loaned out. Because I’m the most unknown. “Recalls Zanetti (Quoted from Bleachereport)
Roberto Carlos at that time was the best young Brazilian talent. While Rambert continues to be promoted by the Italian mass media thanks to his fantastic goal in Argentina. Asce is one of Europe’s strongest midfielders.
“While I’m just an unknown player. However, the fact is I survived and continued to play. ”
On August 27, 1995, Zanetti made his debut with Inter and in 1999 he was elected Captain. While at Inter, Zanetti proved that he was an all-around player. He occupies almost all positions in the field. Starting from the right-back, left-back, center back, central midfielder, right-wing, left-wing and right striker.
However, Zanetti’s early years at Inter were not very successful. The first trophy he won in 1998 was the UEFA Cup. Despite being tempted by Real Madrid, Zanetti chose to stay in the Nerazzurri.
During his 19-year playing career at Inter, Zanetti has trained 17 different managers. Some of them are Roy Hodgson, Marcelo Lippi, Hektor Cuper, Rafael Benitez, José Mourinho, and Roberto Mancini, all of whom have made Zanetti a mainstay in the back sector of Inter.
Zanetti’s best season with Inter was arguably when he was 36 in 2009/10 when it was under Jose Mourinho’s care, Zanetti led his teammates to win three titles at once, Serie A, Copa Italia, and the most memorable Champions league trophy. In that season, Zanetti made 55 appearances.
This humble and modest figure is considered by some to be the best player who has ever defended Inter. He was also highly respected as a captain who set an example both on and off the field.
In the Argentine national team, Zanetti also has a special record despite his achievements with the national team through full trials. The number of caps that are 143 with a score of 5 goals proves his dedication to his country. The incision also placed himself in second place in the list of players who most often appear to strengthen the national team behind Javier Mascherano.
