Javier Zanetti gave a longer interview with the newspaper Rock & Closs where he spoke about what he thinks about his current injury situation: “I’ll become 40 years old on August 10 and I think I will play for another year. I hope to be able to play for one more season than I had planned to before the injury came.”
Then the Inter captain was asked questions regarding the Argentinian national team: “The coach Sabella has a group at his disposal which works very well, while I play I remain positive and hopefull. I don’t need to be a part of the sqaud for the World Cup, I can help out in other matters. The manager knows that if he needs me I’m there to help.”
The conversation then turned to possible tranfers, firstly Ruben Botta: “There is still a big chance that he will play for Inter, I sent him a text-message after I heard of his injury. Gino Peruzzi? I know that Inter are following him, he is a good player. He is playing very well right now and deserves to be followed by Inter, I hope that he will join Inter.”
Then the discussion turned to his good friend Walter Samuel: “He is one of the best defenders I have ever seen play anywhere in the world, I’m sure he would have done well at Boca Juniors. However, Walter is very happy at Inter and his contract doesn’t expire for another year. What will I do when I retire? My idea is to stay with Inter, to work for the club as a director. I will stay here. Independiente were looking for me and their President Comparada asked me if I wanted to come over and play for them. I replied that I have decided to stay at Inter. If Independiente were to be relegated I would suffer very much as a fan.”
In conclusion Zanetti was asked to comment on the situation regarding the manager: “There are no names that are ready to replace Stramaccioni, no hypothesis at all. The President has expressed that he has the deepest confidence in him and the players until the end of the season. Bielsa? He was very close, but his promises mean a lot to him so he will stay at Bilbao. Mourinho? We speak very often. With regards to his future I think that it lies elsewhere.”
