Inter’s former striker Ivan Zamorano has jumped to the defence of fellow Chilean Arturo Vidal today.
Vidal will turn 34 in May and is seemingly not the player he once was, with many putting his deteriorating form down to the fact that he is getting older.
He will now miss up to a month after undergoing knee surgery on Friday, but Zamorano believes the Inter midfielder deserves to be cut some slack.
“In football there is an imbalance when people make judgments,” former Real Madrid player Zamorano, who played for Inter between 1996 and 2001, told Italian news outlet Gazzetta dello Sport.
“If you are 18 or 19 you are too young and at 33 or 34 you are old and they throw you away.
“If Arturo makes a difference, his age does not matter.
“His contract will expire in 2023, I hope to see him play again in our colours.”
Zamorano also admitted to being in contact with Inter’s Chilean duo of Vidal and Alexis Sanchez and assured supporters that both were ready to help Antonio Conte’s side secure the Serie A title.
“I often hear from Vidal and Sanchez, they are happy and energised for the last part of the season,” he said.
“It is too bad about Arturo’s injury.
“When he can give his contribution again, as the great player that he is, he will not fail.”
Vidal has made 30 appearances across all competitions for Inter this season, in which he has scored two goals and provided as many assists for his teammates.
Sanchez made a key contribution to yesterday’s 2-1 victory at Torino, meanwhile, providing the cross for Lautaro Martinez’s late winning goal.