Top Three Inter Milan Captains Of All Time

Today, English and Spanish football clubs dominate European football with several continental success stories.

But not long ago, all eyes were on Italy; the city of Milan accommodated fans of an iconic club that few teams could hold a candle to 一 Football Club Internazionale Milano.

Journalists scrambled to get the latest scoop on Inter, and young players dreamed of playing for the club. But none understood what it truly meant to be a Nerazurri like the club’s captains.

Any Internazionale skipper should embody leadership, resilience, and, of course, football acumen. Over the years, several excellent players have stepped out of the dugout with the captain’s armband, but three have been unforgettable.

Only a sport-savvy, professional paper writing service essayservice.com can put the contributions of these legends into words, which is why we’ll be looking into the greatest Inter Milan captains ever.

Giacinto Facchetti

If you ever wondered why you’ve not seen an Inter footballer wear a number 3 shirt recently, it’s because it will forever belong to one man 一 Giacinto Facchetti.

Born in Italy in 1942, young Giacinto wanted to be a doctor but ended up part of the ‘Grande Inter’ team that brought opponents to their knees.

Before joining Inter, Giacinto was a striker for his local youth club, CS Travigliene. However, that would change after he signed for Inter Milan. Between 1960 and 1978, Facchetti made a name for himself at Inter, serving as the club’s star full-back.

Facchetti operated the left side of a solid Inter backline that would have given a Spartan phalanx a run for its money. He took to the new role so naturally that it was almost impossible to imagine him playing in any other position.

As defensive as Inter was back in the day, Facchetti injected an unusual attacking flair to his game that modern full-backs emulate.

In the end, Giacinto Facchetti scored 75 goals, which is impressive even by today’s standards.

Facchetti started and ended his senior career at Inter. He was a talented and driven organizer, leading his teammates to four Scudetti, the Coppa Italia, and a pair of European and Intercontinental cups each.

Facchetti played 634 times for Inter, captained both the club and his nation, and finished in the top three of 1965’s Ballon d’Or rankings. He eventually became the club’s coach before moving up the ladder and ending up as its president.

Sadly, Facchetti died in 2006 after battling pancreatic cancer, but he will always be a source of inspiration for the next generation of defenders.

Giuseppe Bergomi

From the highest scoring Inter defender, we move to the club’s longest-serving captain. Giuseppe ‘Beppe’ Bergomi started training with Inter at 16 before spending 20 years with the club.

Like Facchetti, Bergomi was a one-club man, playing his entire career at Inter.

However, his boyhood allegiance would not stop him from playing all of his 756 club matches for Inter, achieving a feat most footballers dream of.

But there is more to Bergomi than his many appearances. He was a legendary defender and leader back in his day and remains an iconic figure in Inter to date.

Bergomi broke into the senior team when the club struggled to replicate its earlier successes, and he never looked back.

Beppe was a versatile defender, primarily playing as a center-back but occasionally handling full-back duties like a duck takes to water. He was an intimidating man with an iconic mustache that earned him the title, ‘Lo Zio.’

Still, Beppe was far from your average defender; instead, he played with his mind and body, using his physicality and quick thinking to nick the ball from bewildered opponents.

Things weren’t all rosy for Bergomi, though. He won the Coppa Italia in his second full season with Inter but had to wait for seven years for the next one.

Meanwhile, in that time, Bergomi grew into everything an Inter captain stands for 一 command, drive, spirit, and the undying passion for winning.

By the time he retired in 1989, he had led Inter to a Scudetto, a Supercoppa Italiana, and three UEFA Cups.

Javier Zanetti

Beppe held the title of Inter’s most capped player for a while until a phenomenal player came along and smashed it; that footballer’s name is Javier Zanetti.

Javier Zanetti is an Argentinian who came to Inter in 1995 at the age of 22. Back then, many didn’t expect much from him, focusing instead on Sebastian Rambert.

Eventually, Zanetti proved them wrong by having an illustrious career as a Nerazzurri winger, full-back, and midfielder.

Zanetti was an entertainer at first. Fans couldn’t get enough of his dazzling runs and feints from the wing as he turned opposition defenders inside out.

His playing style brought flair to a rigid Inter side and eased the team’s transition from defense to attack. Later, he evolved his playing style to a more result-driven approach.

Apart from his skills with the ball, Zanetti was a natural leader. In just four years, he became Inter’s captain.

Javier was never one to talk, preferring to lead by example with his work ethic and consistency shining through. His versatility was rare as he could play in most positions on the pitch, if necessary.

Deservedly, Zanetti’s reign was prosperous. He led his club to win sixteen titles, including five consecutive Scudetti, four Supercoppa Italiana and Coppa Italia titles each, the UEFA Cup, Champions League, and Club World Cup.

By his retirement, he had played 858 times for Inter, scoring 21 goals, and soon enough joined the club’s 2018 Hall of Fame roster. Javier Zanetti is currently serving as Vice President in the club where many consider him their greatest player ever.

Conclusion

Playing for and captaining one of the top teams in the world is a dream for most young football fans.

However, heading a team of elites is not easy, and at a club as iconic and ambitious as Inter Milan, the stakes are even higher.

These expectations are why the club demands leadership, passion, grit, work ethic, and footballing skills from its skippers.

Players like Facchetti, Beppe, and Zanetti have become part of Inter folklore due to how they led and represented the club on and off the field.

Will we see more iconic leaders at the club in years to come? Yes. But we would be hard-pressed to see anyone take the shine off the achievements of these three.