In a long interview in the Argentine newspaper La Nacion, Javier Zanetti, interviewed by a local journalist Cristian Grosso, announced his farewell to the football world, retracing the key moments of his long and illustrious career. Here are the words of Zanetti:
Why did you decide to retire now?
“Because I feel that now is the right time to do it. Because football has given me so much and I have enjoyed every moment. Because after the injury to the Achilles tendon last April, I wanted to demonstrate that you still can return to be competitive and I succeeded. I feel complete and I feel accomplished: to retire at age 41 is a priceless feeling. For me it is something that has immense value, and now is the right time.”
Are you afraid of the day after?
“No, I’m not afraid of it. Surely I will miss certain things, certain aspects of the routine as a player, the moments in the locker room and especially the competition. Still, I think that those who have fears are those who don’t know how to occupy the new free time, and fortunately I have resolved this issue. It’s obvious that nothing will be like before, but I’m ready because I will continue in the world of football and this will keep me alive.”
Will you be a man with a suit and tie?
“I hope that is not necessary. I dreamed to finish my career at Inter, at my home, and I did. It was a life choice to end my career in Italy, and now, in the function of sporting manager, I will try to be useful to the team off the pitch. It opens a new world for me, and that excites me. There will be a thousand things to do.”
When you think you will get carried away by emotions?
“On Saturday there will be a match against Lazio, and although the Curva Nord will be closed for the racist chanting, there will still be many people who will prepare something. When the match against Chievo is over, then, I’m sure I’ll go over my whole career will pass before my eyes. My mother, my father, my wife, my three children, all the people who supported me. Who knows how I will let it go…”
Which matches in your career would you like to play again?
“Two, one to enjoy the moment again and another to change the fate. I would return to play the Champions League final of 2010, to relive the magical night at the Bernabeu. And I would give everything to replay the game against Sweden, the one that caused the elimination from the World Cup in Japan.”
What surprises you most about your career?
“The numbers, statistics. Seeing that I’ve played 1112 games, which is fourth in the table of all time, and that those in front of me are goalkeepers, that I am the only Argentine to have played over one thousand games, that I am the foreigner that has played the most matches in Serie A and only Paolo Maldini has more games played than me. That nobody has played in one club more than me at Inter and in the National team. Sometimes I ask myself: ‘But did I really do all this?’, then it fills me with pride.”
Do you feel recognized in Argentina?
“Yes, even in Argentina I am highly valued, even though it took a little longer. But even in my country I have always received lots of love. Maybe I got too much criticism from some of the press. I have been a champion far away from Argentina and people appreciate this. I see myself as someone that has always left a good image of my country wherever I went, I paid tribute to the colors of Argentina. And then, beyond the results, I always wanted to play with the shirt of my country, despite not having won titles I never wanted to choose the best times to do it or not do it.”
The three of your best teammates of all time?
“Ronaldo, Messi, Baggio.”
The three toughest opponents ever faced?
“Giggs, Zidane and Kaka.”
Do you consider yourself an example?
“I hope so, I don’t know if I see myself as an example, it could be seen as conceited. Yet I hope that anyone can take something positive retracing my career as a footballer. Especially for the way I have built a career.”
Do you ever get angry?
“Yes, more often than most people can imagine. But even in unpleasant moments you can see the good in things.”
Source: fcinternews.it
