Javier Zanetti spoke with Hungarian newspaper Nemzeti SportFrom Hungary’s Nemzeti Sport, on the sidelines of the presentation of the new Inter academy launch in Hungary.
The vice-president firstly spoke on Attila Filkor, a Hungarian player who has passed through the Nerazzurri academy in recent years: “He had trained with the first team several times, I’m sorry he did not stay”.
Zanetti also spoke about the meaning of the captain’s figure: “A good captain speaks little, expresses himself through his actions, behaves in such a way as not to undermine his honour, respect for others, he is the master of the dressing room. He is a model for his companions in difficult situations, he is the leader in finding a solution and always puts the interest of the team in front of his individual goals.”
Zanetti also recalls the legendary Arpad Weisz, who played for and managed Inter in the 1920s and 1930s: “He was the youngest coach to win the Italian championship with Inter, he discovered Giuseppe Meazza. We do not forget all the suffering that he and his family endured as they lived in Auschwitz during the Second World War. The tombstone unveiled a few years ago remembers his memory.”
On today’s Inter: “Our goal is to return to the Champions League, the conditions are all there, we hope we can fulfill this task.”
On his entry into the Hall of Fame he adds: “It is an honour to be part of it, especially because I have been chosen as a defender, in a role where Inter has had many historical players like Armando Picchi or Giuseppe Bergomi.”
Ronaldo was also inducted to the Hall of Fame to some criticism due to him joining Milan in his later career but Zanetti urged fans to remember what he done while with the club: “True, but let’s not forget what he did for us. Then he each time speaks of to his attachment to Inter. The fans finally appreciate what he has achieved with our colors
He concluded the interview by speaking on the triplete season: “I still have incredible memories, that experience is still alive in me, that moment will remain forever in our hearts and in the history of football. We were the first Italian club to reach that goal.”
