‘Giocare da Uomo’. That is the title of Javier Zanetti’s new autobiography and in an interview with journalist Marco Franzelli from Tg1 he talked about his book and much more.
What does it mean to play like a man?
“It basically means to play with many values, with honesty and the desire to leave something important to those who are watching us.”
Agassi revealed in his autobiography that he ultimately hated sport of tennis, you instead talk about your love for football. What is the difference?
“I love football, it has always been my passion. In this book I tell you about my adventures , how I felt when I was running after a ball, and the sacrifices I have made to achieve something important.”
What was the most useful sacrifice?
“I would say it was to follow the advice my parents gave me when I was a child: first study and then do what I liked and chase the dream that made me who I am. But I wouldn’t call it a sacrifice, but rather a desire to do something that made me feel good.”
You worked as a bricklayer with your father. Was it a good workout?
“Yes, above all, it was a lesson in life. Working with my father and watching his sacrifices meant that I was better prepared for everything that came later in my life.”
At a certain point, in 1995, Inter came along.
“At the moment I didn’t believe it, when I took my first steps in Argentina the Italian football was far away. For me it was a great test to confront such an important football and it was an opportunity I chose to take because I knew that I would start writing my future when I came to a big club like Inter. I noticed it from the moment I came to Milan with the fans, when Massimo Moratti welcomed me to his office or at Terrazza Martini on a rainy day. Bergomi and Facchetti waited for me there, right there I realized that I began a new life.”
Twenty years at Inter, a marriage without crises. How do you do it?
“There is an infinite love that I believe will remain because I will never stop being grateful to the Moratti family and all the fans for the love they have given me since day one. For me Inter is like a second family that I really love.”
But what is it that has created the love for Inter?
“The fact that we are one big family, for better or worse. When the titles that everyone expected didn’t come , we were still proud of our dignity. Then we went ahead and finally reached success.”
In the book you say that the best thing in football are the players. Is it really so?
“That’s the way it is, I think we can make mistakes many times, but it’s still the honesty and dignity that leads us to do well on the pitch.”
A summary of the different coaches: Mancini.
“He was the coach who started our cycle, he did a good job.”
Tardelli.
“A difficult year because we lost the derby 6-0 and there something was shattered.”
But in the book you say that Tardelli was the worst.
“I don’t know if he really was the worst, but he was the one I was least attached to.”
Lippi.
“The club did everything possible to create a great team, but unfortunately that did not happen. It wasn’t only his fault, but it was a very difficult year.”
How did you react when you heard his statements in Reggio Calabria on how you played?
“It made me irritated. I don’t think it was the right way to behave towards a group. Anyone can make mistakes, but there are other ways to make it clear that they are not on the right path.”
Cuper.
“I was disappointed at how his relationship with Inter ended . He was a very serious person and knowledgeable in his profession, he had to pay for May 5th”
Andrea Agnelli said: “The Italian league has become passé, the big players go elsewhere.” Do you agree?
“Well, times have changed. At one time the big players wanted to come to Italy, now the reality is another. But I’m of the opinion that it’s not only that way because the Italian league is the most difficult and retains its appeal. We need remain at the top.”
Rate your career, do you confirm the rating of 7.5 that you give in the book?
“Yes, I think I’ve had an important career as I have defended the colors of a shirt with a great history behind it. I had the privilege to wear the captain’s armband and realize many dreams. I must thank everyone who stood by me.”
How do you rate Walter Mazzarri after the first matches?
“I give him 7.5-8 , because it’s a new journey with a new coach with a large capacity and clear ideas. I think if we continue like this we will be able to ensure that Inter once again will be protagonists.”
Is this an Inter that can win the Scudetto?
“It’s too early to say, but we must be able to maintain some continuity until the end. I think there is a reason to fight for that goal.”
With whom would you compare Mazzarri?
“He’s comparable to Cuper when it comes to his commitment and the feelings he shows during the matches. He cares very much about the details and I think he’s a coach that makes you work hard, but on Sundays you can see the results.”
Prandelli has said that young players in Italy have difficulties due to lack of personality. Do you agree?
“In some cases: yes. In this area, they have work to do. According to me, a young player must be prepared and have strength and awareness to be able to get into a great team. He may make mistakes, but then these mistakes will help them develop.”
Allegri has said that players are role models and that there’s no need for mohawks and earrings.
“I agree, we must recognize that we are role models for many children who see us as idols. We must always make sure to have an image that allows them to strive for something significant.”
In the book you say that Balotelli goes from being a good player to a true master. How will it end?
“I think he needs to find the balance and I hope he finds it. Mario has a great talent, but he needs to stay calm and do what he should do. We’ve talked about it many times and he has listened to me. He is one of those young people who still makes mistakes because of his age. Then, when you realize you do wrong, you will develop.”
You define Balotelli as a jazz musician in football because he improvises. Is that a good or bad trait?
“For him, it is definitely a good trait; he is one of those players who, at any time, could make that game-winning play. It is needed in Milan and especially the national team because we are now close to the World Cup.”
But you were disappointed when he threw the Inter shirt to the ground ?
“Yes, because it’s a gesture you don’t make. But after the gesture, I think he realized that it was a mistake. At that moment I said nothing because it wasn’t the right time to explain some things. In the dressing room, he apologized and that’s where it ended.”
How was Mourinho different from the others?
“Mourinho was a coach and a man of great character, a winner who was meticulous with every detail. He was with us for two years that will remain in the hearts of all Interisti.”
Can you tell us an anecdote?
“When we were losing 1-0 at half-time in Kiev and virtually were eliminated from the Champions League in 2010, he told us in the locker room that we would be forced to risk everything, he took out two defenders and replaced them with two strikers and we won. But he said it with such conviction that when we went onto the pitch we already knew what could happen.”
Are there similarities between Garcia and Mourinho?
“I don’t know and can’t judge it, but he’s a very knowledgeable coach.”
Is it a surprise that Roma leads the league?
“No, because they have many good players and a mentality and an organization that enabled this continuity. Their first place is well deserved. ”
Conte has taken up the ‘roar of the enemy’. But does Juve have so many enemies?
“There are enemies to all winning teams; I think it’s normal that every team wants to win against the team that has won during many years.”
Totti wrote to you on twitter when you got injured and set a date with you for Roma-Inter.
“I hope it will be so. Francesco is great, I ‘m glad for his moment. We hugged each other before Inter-Roma and he asked me how I was doing. He was one of the first to call me after the injury and I was glad to see that he was one of the first at my side.”
What is the secret of those who, like you, have such a long career?
“I think it is the love of this sport and the drive to be useful for the club and your teammates.”
How much did you miss the 2010 World Cup that Maradona denied you?
“It was a difficult time because of the way I was treated. I think I deserved to be there because I was there for the journey up to the last two friendlies. But I’m not bitter, football is like that. I’m calm because I did everything I needed to get there and therefore it wasn’t because of me. But Argentina will always be part of me; I have proudly defended this shirt everywhere. There will always be a great happiness, even as a child I dreamed of playing a match with the national team and I have played more than 140.”
Soon, there could be a different president than Moratti, would that make you sad?
“I think that even though he will no longer be president, he will always be Inter because his family has dedicated so much love for this team. He, like his father, has given so much to this club. The president has incredible feelings for this shirt and I’m very attached to him, especially as a person.”
But football is changing: Moratti is passion, while we’re talking about business, it’s a big change.
“We live in a different reality. To survive you have to make these painful choices to help the club to survive.”
And this also applies to Inter.
“Yes, but Inter are a big family. Thanks to Moratti.”
You mentioned that you talked to the Champions League trophy. How did that happen?
“It went very well. When the game was over and after the celebration, when I brought the trophy into the locker room, I leaned down and said, ‘I’ve been chasing you for so long and now you’re in my arms’. It was one of the most emotional moments , I understood the meaning of this goal. I was already very emotional when I came out with my teammates for warm-up and saw the whole curva. When the referee announced the additional time I looked at Samuel and started crying, we were leading 2-0 and at most we would concede 2-1. However, Samuel told me to wait because there were three minutes left. It was also emotional to arrive to San Siro at six o’clock in the morning with a packed arena that was waiting for us. Having the privilege to be the captain and give this joy to the fans is something unforgettable.”
At the Club World Cup trophy you went and put the trophy in a corner and then went to meet everyone.
“With teammates, we always do so. This was also a significant moment, many supporters were there as well as my family. That night I wore Samuel’s shirt at the awards ceremony, he was injured a few days before. But it was right that he was with us at least in that way.”
You have a very deep relationship with your faith.
“Yes, my family is very Catholic. It is a lifetime of learning.”
On the meeting with Pope Francis.
“The greatest experience was to meet my countryman Pope. One of the first talks, thanks to Moratti, was a great joy. Bergoglio is human only by his simplicity, to talk to him about many topics and problems that exist in the world was a unique experience. Then he is a fan of San Lorenzo, and will have a museum with all sporting memorabilia given to him, including my sweater. If I said something to him? No, he asked me how I was and about my history with Inter.”
He also reminded you that, as players, you are role models.
“Yes, more than anything, it’s when he talks to you that you notice that he is a humble person who can convey emotions with ease and that’s why I like him.”
You have many nicknames, which do you prefer?
“All of them, but especially Pupi because it is the name of my foundation . Everyone knows me by that name.”
Your foundation is a commitment that does good for you.
“That is true. Everytime we go back to Argentina, we see that these children have made progress. We here have a great responsibility, I also thank the Italians who are standing by my side in all the initiatives because they realize that in many parts of the world there are problems and children who need help. Those who are able to help should really feel that they should.”
The choice that changed your life?
“I think life choices are made every moment, having come to Italy has changed my life.”
It is said that behind every successful man there is always a great woman. Does that apply to you as well?
“This also applies to me. I don’t know if I could have done all the things I’ve done without Paula.”
The biggest mistake?
“I’ve made many, but when you realize that, you need them to develop.”
A dinner to make peace with an enemy, who would you choose?
“I don’t know if I have any enemies, it’s tough to identify someone as an enemy. I could go to dinner with anyone, even if we think differently.”
A song that you like?
“Eros Ramazzotti’s ‘Più bella cosa’ makes me feel good. And the last sentence of the chorus, ‘Grazie di esistere’ (‘thank you for existing’ ed.) apply to Inter as well.”
When will you be back on the pitch?
“Soon, I hope. I’m in the last phase of this long rehabilitation, but we ‘re almost there.”
But for several games?
“Yes, I hope so.”
And after that? Coaching?
“No, I want to do something in the club as director. It is enough that it is linked to Inter, to lead people.”
Source: fcinternews.it
