Inter Milan Vice-President Javier Zanetti has paid tribute to legendary former Nerazzurri defender Andreas Brehme following the German’s passing.

Speaking to reporters outside the UEFA lunch ahead of the Champions League match against Atletico Madrid, via FCInterNews, Zanetti talked about how Inter fans will remember Brehme.

Brehme’s unexpected and untimely passing has left a big impact on the world of football.

And around Inter, the German’s loss will be felt greatly.

Brehme may have only spent four years as a Nerazzurri player. But it was a period in which he formed a lifelong bond with his teammates, with the fans, and with the club.

Brehme never hid his continued, passionate support for Inter, even decades after he had played his last match wearing the shirt.

And fans of the club will certainly remember the big contribution that the iconic German made.

Javier Zanetti Pays Tribute To Andreas Brehme

Former Inter captain Zanetti is certainly another man who knows what it means to have a lifelong connection to Inter.

The Argentine played nearly a thousand matches for the Nerazzurri. He captained the club for the majority of them.

And Vice-President Zanetti has stayed in a prominent role off the pitch long after hanging up his boots.

So the Argentine knows exactly what it means to lose an icon like Brehme.

“The news of his death is very sad,” Zanetti said. “Because it means we’re losing a great person.”

“I wasn’t lucky enough to play with him,” the Vice-President continued.

“I spent time with him when he came to watch the matches,” he continued.

“We had a great rapport.”

“The news saddened me to hear,” the Inter Vice-President.

“It leaves us just having our memories of this brilliant person inside of us, who did great things for Inter.”

“I believe that Inter fans will remember him for what he did,” Zanetti said of Brehme.

“For the way that he defended our club’s shirt.”