A real captain, an example for every young player and an impressive athlete. This is Javier Zanetti, one of the most impressive players in International football. When he joined FC Internazionale in 1995 not many understood his talent, but soon after everyone changed their mind. He can play in every position from defence to midfield, even if in the beginning of his career he was an offensive winger. Also known as the Tractor, for his strength and the abilty to keep the ball in every possible situation.
Zanetti has played more 600 official matches for Nerazzurri, and more than 500 Serie A ones which is the highest all-time among non-Italian born players. After very though years with the Italians, after 2006 he also won very deserved silverwares. But the best year will always be 2010, when he led the Nerazzurri to a five title season: Italian Championship, Italian Cup, Champions’ League, Italian Supercup and Fifa Club World Cup. As an International player, he became the most capped player in the history of the Argentine national team, even if he was not called up for the 2006 World Cup by coach José Pekerman.
With coach Diego Armando Maradona he lost the captain armband in favour of Javier Mascherano and he missed South Africa 2010, but with the new coach Batista he found his place in the Albiceleste team. He is also notable off the field for his charitable work, running a foundation to benefit disadvantaged children in Argentina.
Honours:
Fifa Club World Cup (2010
Champions League (2010)
Uefa Cup (1998)
Olympic Silver Medal (1996)
Italian League (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
Italian Cup (2005, 2006, 2010, 2011)
Italian Super Cup (2005, 2006, 2008, 2010)
All-time most capped player of FC Internazionale
Golden Foot award (2011, as football legend)
Did you know?
- He captained Inter to UEFA Champions League final glory against FC Bayern München on his 700th appearance for the Nerazzurri.
- He became Argentina’s most-capped player in November 2007, having represented his country at four Copa América tournaments (1995, 1999, 2004, 2007), two FIFA World Cups (1998, 2002; he was omitted from the 2006 and 2010 squad) and two FIFA Confederations Cups (1995, 2005)
- He became the oldest player to score in the Champions League, aged 37 years and 72 days, when he struck in a 4-3 loss to Tottenham Hotspur FC on 20 October, although his record was swiftly taken by Filippo Inzaghi.
- He has played in more Serie A matches than any other non-Italian and surpassed Giuseppe Bergomi’s club record of 519 league appearances when he featured in a 3-2 defeat of AC Cesena on 19 January 2011.
- On 10 May 2011, Zanetti completed his 1,000th professional game
- On 20 September 2011, Javier Zanetti made all-time appearance record in Serie A, he replaced Giuseppe Bergomi in Inter’s record books upon his appearance against Novara.
