Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti has admitted that he was convinced that he could carve out a space for himself when he joined Inter back in 1995.

“It is true that Rambert was presented as a stronger player than me, he was the top scorer in the league. I was the fourth foreigner that Inter could field as they had signed Ince, Rambert and Roberto Carlos,” he explained in an interview with Inter TV show Inter Futbol Club, which was broadcast a short time ago.

“I was convinced that I could play my cards. I knew that Inter, with the history the had, was a great leap. It was my great opportunity and I had to do everything to do well.”

He then explained how former Inter president and owner Massimo Moratti discovered him: “There were tapes at the time, let’s not say how many years have passed.

“I did very well in that match, but Inter were looking at Ortega. When Mazzola called the president, the latter replied: ‘I want number 4’. That’s how it all started.”

He then went on to discuss the strong link that Inter have with Argentina thanks to the number of Argentine players including himself to have played for the club.

“It’s true that in the past there have been great coaches and players who have left their mark here then we came. I think this feeling is due to the passion and the way we live football, which goes hand in hand with the DNA of Inter.

“For us, Inter is a family, we have brought our customs to the club, to Pinetina. When you wear this shirt, you feel something special and we Argentines perceive it.”

Next Zanetti recalled a match early on in his career between Banfield versus Boca Juniors during which the commentator suggested his next club would be River Plate.

“That was the game where the world began to know me, we won at the Bombonera and I had an important performance.

“The next day all the news and newspapers started talking about me and the interest of River, but nobody knew about Inter.”

He then spoke on the strong South American contingent that was at Inter during his spell with the club.

“Each of us have our own personality. I am close to many of them. In addition to the Argentines I am close to Cordoba and Zamorano.

“Among us there was immediately empathy, our friendship will last. They are practically brothers, there was alchemy of the first day.”

The former Argentine national team player then shared who was his most difficult opponent to mark.

“One of them is Giggs, we were going back and forth on the wing challenging each other at speed. I was lucky enough to face great champions, I marked Zidane who is someone whom you hardly took the ball away from.

“Kaka of AC Milan was one of the opponents who forces you to always stay focused.”

Next he spoke why he chose the number four when he joined Inter: “For me it was an important number, it was free, I took it and carry it with me today too”.

In conclusion he spoke on his favourite songs that the fans dedicated to him during his playing day and spoke on the Inter fans in general.

“The chant ‘One captain, there is only one captain’ or ‘Among the Nerazzurri there is a player who…’ The Inter fans are fantastic, this is a bond that will last forever.

“They made me feel welcome from day one when I was a stranger and I will never forget this.”