So aggressive and decisive in the field, but calm on the outside, Nicolás Burdisso has entered right into the heart of all the teams for which he has played. You also do not wear the captain’s band if you are not a born leader.
In an exclusive interview with FcInterNews.it, the player of Altos de Chipión, talks about memories, opinions, anecdotes and his current situation.
Currently a free agent, do you want to continue your career or are you ready to hang on your boots?
“Now I’m in a period of transition. I trained and waited for the end of the market by rejecting many proposals received. The decision is not just about playing, but I need feel the right motivations and find the team ready to offer me this. I spoke with various important teams but in the end it could not be concluded.”
In an old interview you said that “after football you wanted to be a man like Facchetti.” What did you mean?
“This is a simpler statement than it may seem. When it happens, I will not invent anything. I will do the things I will be able to do. I am a footballer and since I was a child I have lived for this profession. When I stop, my personality will come out of the pitch and the person and man will emerge.”
And can the reference figure be just that of Facchetti?
“No doubt. I was lucky enough to meet him and I think he can be considered by everyone, not only by the Inter fans but by every sports fan, an example to follow.”
Speaking of great men, the agreement between you and Moratti during your daughter’s illness shows how not everyone in this world thinks only of money…
“Massimo Moratti I cannot explain. He was a great president but above all he is a great person, of incredible humility. We must also say that there are people like this in football. I found Moratti and he, like others, goes beyond money and power, he has a unique simplicity and way of doing things.”
By the way, and fortunately, your daughter has now healed.
“Thank God, yes. It was a hard time but we got to the happy ending. She is 15 and is fine.”
What are your memories related to Inter?
“Those of the football elite. Even at Boca Juniors, which is another world-class team, I had won a lot. But with the Nerazzurri we talk about the top of European football. I think of the titles won, the battles in the Champions League, the trophies like Coppa Italia or Supercoppa. Winning with that shirt means more especially because at that time the Beneamata was struggling to win titles. It was a decisive change of mentality.”
Speaking of this, you reminded us several times of what had happened with Calciopoli.
“This is the ugly face of Italian football. The argument is this: a process has been made that has issued judgments. And soon after Inter was able to do something that it could not achieve before, that is to win. When I was living in Argentina I watched the matches, all of the same level, I wondered how it was possible that the results did not arrive, but then here’s the explanation. Very clear. The problem was identified along with the mechanisms that regulated it and the championship returned to being much more credible.”
Is the situation better today? Also because there is VAR?
“Of course.”
Among your matches at Inter there is that night against Valencia when in a cowardly manner they threw a punch behind his back. And then it was a brawl. An unfortunate episode which however also demonstrated, albeit with wrong attitudes, the unity of the group.
“That fist unleashed everyone’s anger. In those years we were really a united team. We were fighting towards the common goal. Having just arrived at the Nerazzurri perhaps this is precisely what struck me most. Many players of different nationalities who played without distinction on the same side. Too bad then because against Valencia we came out with two draws, In that year we could have gone much further.”
Do you still hear from anyone in that team?
“All the Argentines, Toldo, Stankovic, Grosso, Mancini. And others. It’s hard to forget when you shared the locker room and the victories with champions of this calibre.”
About the coach, there had been some quarrels…
“Yes, in Italy there are different techniques and reactions. The important thing is to never exceed the line of respect. And this never happened. Indeed, it was him, Mancini, who took me to Italy and trusted me. Inter teamed up and made it a successful team. We are speaking about a winner.”
Is there a current defender at Inter who reminds you of yourself?
“I could compare myself to the Nerazzurri defenders, although I was somewhat of a joker in Milan and I was also deployed as a full-back or a midfielder. For this I would say most similar to D’Ambrosio. And on the current defence what to say? Skriniar is very strong, I like how he approaches the game. De Vrij is an important player, Miranda we all know him and also Ranocchia has quality. Let’s say that in that sector Inter is well covered.”
Do you prefer a three or four man defence?
“It depends on the game and the fullbacks. Spalletti certainly is able to make the most appropriate decision match after match.”
How do you see the technician from Certaldo?
“He knows Serie A well. Last year he hit the Champions League goal. This year he has a team with enormous potential and I hope he will bring the Nerazzurri where they deserve.”
Maybe even thanks to goals from Icardi, who you have faced several times as an opponent. In your opinion is it better to mark him waiting for him in the area or should he be followed?
“At Genoa we practically branded him. When I was at Roma or Torino, we followed the area. For me when Mauro is in the area he must be marked. No doubt. Otherwise he is very dangerous.”
How do you see your compatriot Martinez?
“He is really strong and talented. It will only be a matter of time before he explodes. He just needs the right period of adaptation in a top-class club in Europe.”
In the field you put all the grit of the world and came across like the bad guy. Outside, on the other hand, you read, are calm and show yourself to be a different person from what one might expect …
“It is about my approach to football. In everyday life I want to learn, discover, understand, be a leader. All attitudes that derive from my personality and there are those who are also my opposite: on the pitch it is quieter, on the outside more rebellious. I Just find the right balance to make things work.”
Who is the best player with whom you played?
“Messi. He’s on another level compared to all the others. Both technically and quantitatively. With an abnormal speed of execution. After him there are many champions with whom I am proud to have shared important moments. Adriano was afraid of how strong he was. Ibra, Figo, Tevez, Riquelme. And Maradona trained me in the national team.”
Do you regret leaving Inter before the Triplete ?
“No. It was time to go our separate ways. It was my decision. There would have been the World Cup and I wanted to participate. I still celebrated that Champions victory a lot, for my friends in the team, because I knew how much it meant to the fans and also for Mourinho, with whom I have a great relationship. My only regret at Inter is what happened in the match in Valencia. That episode with Navarro is something, as I always say, should never happen.”