Zanetti:"My first match as a captain it was a game of the Italian Cup, it was a great emotion"

The vice president of Inter Milan, Javier Zanetti, was a guest at the Teatro Parenti for the ten years of the magazine Undici.

Speaking on the stage of the Parenti Theatre in Milan for the ten years of the Rivista Undici, Javier Zanetti spoke about the derby:
"The derby has always been a heartfelt match, special, for us and for the fans. 

There was always a great respect, the first derby I did in '95, I played against Costacurta, Baresi, Maldini and Tassotti. 

It was a pleasure to face great champions, there has always been a great rivalry but a very big respect that is still there".
"Being a captain is a great responsibility, you represent an important team. 

I became a very young captain, I had teammates who were great champions, anyone of them could be a captain. 

They had credibility in me, I tried to be a silent leader always showing it with facts and behaviors, for me is very important. 

They knew that everything I did was for the good of the group and not for personal interest. 

It was exciting, I remember also Facchetti and Bergomi, for me is a great responsibility".
"My first memory when I arrived at Inter  Milan is that I did not expect the opportunity to play in Italy. 

I was in Argentina, I was taking my first steps and I get the news that Inter Milan had bought me, I can’t believe it. 

There was still the fax, I was in South Africa, Passarella calls me and tells me to come back and pack. 

I called Paula (his wife) who at that time was my girlfriend, my parents to see if it was true (laughs, ed). 

Inter Milan is my family, I realized when I met the Moratti family, I knew the history, I was good from the beginning, we share certain values, Inter Milan made me grow, gave me a great opportunity. 

This bond will always be strong and will go beyond sport".

"My first match as a captain it was a game of the Italian Cup, it was a great emotion. 

I realized that I had a great responsibility to the teammates and to the whole environment.
It is essential to stay yourself, in a football career there are several moments, overcome difficulties. 

If you are yourself, your teammates recognize it. When you do everything for the good of the team, it’s easier."

"After the victories, at the end of your career you try to leave well. 

I did it this way, I chose when to leave. I was 41 years old, I gave everything I could, with sacrifice and heart, giving my all in every match, to prepare for the after. 

When one makes that decision, never know what happens next. 

It’s not easy to make a decision but the time had come, from there on, I’m now in a career phase where I am learning so much, I have a different mission. 

I’m studying at Bocconi (Italian university based in Milan) because I don’t want to be a sports-related executive, but have a 360° vision that allows me to help the club, to be an asset, there’s so much to do and I can contribute".

Who would you have played with?

"With Matthaus, I was similar with his way of playing.
When I arrived at Inter Milan, he had left. 

Every time we meet, we talk about his history at Inter Milan".

I don’t like to make comparisons either, everyone has to make his own story. 

Football has changed a lot, the most important thing is that everyone does what they like and has values that football teaches".