Former Inter midfielder Diego Simeone has reminisced about the 1998 UEFA Cup final which Inter triumphed over Lazio in in an interview with European football’s governing body UEFA’s official website UEFA.com.
“I think that the first goal that I set up for Ivan Zamorano sums up the way I see and understand football. Already as a player I looked for practical solutions rather than beautiful ones,” he began the interview.
“Obviously, I tried to find that space after a great move from Zamorano. After that, Zanetti scored a wonderful goal and Ronaldo’s goal capped off a terrific result.”
He then went on to sing the praises of Ronaldo and went so far as to suggest that he was one of the best players who he played alongside during his 19-year-long playing career.
“Ronaldo was probably one of the best teammates I ever had as a player. I’m pretty sure I enjoyed Ronaldo at his best. He was strong, healthy and without all those knee problems he had to endure afterwards. And at his tender age, that made him a completely extraordinary player.
“We could’ve won the title in a season that was weird back then. He helped us win the UEFA Cup in a great final where we were better than them.”
Simeone joined Inter in the Summer of 1997 from Atletico Madrid, who he is currently the manager of. He spent two seasons with Inter before departing for fellow Serie A side Lazio.
During his time on Inter’s books, the former Argentine national team player made 85 appearances across all competitions in which he scored 14 goals and provided a total of six assists for his teammates.
Since going into management in 2006, Simeone has been linked with becoming the Inter manager on several occasions and he has also shared his desire to one day manage the club.
