While there have been a lot of discussions over the conclusion of the EPL and the exciting finish to La Liga, a legend hung up his boots quietly in Italy. An awesome (though, slightly long) story about Javier Zanetti: “We had just won the Italian Cup against Palermo and we were on our way back to Milan to celebrate. Then I got a message on my phone: “Son congratulations, I’m so happy for you… I really love you.” The party ended late and so I thought I’d call the next day. I never got the opportunity, my mom passed away in her sleep.” There were more catastrophes to follow. At 15, Independiente, his favorite club as a child rejected him telling him he was too skinny, weak and too small to make it. A heartbreaking experience for a boy his age whose sole dream was to play football. He stopped playing for a year, not even for fun. He worked with his dad who was a brick layer and when he decided to venture back into football at times he didn’t have boots to play with. His loving mother would sew him boots. Fortune though smiled at him, back in the early 90’s it became apparent Massimo Moratti was interested in buying Inter. An agent gave him a video tape of an Argentine U-20 game so that he could watch Ariel Ortega and call him if he was interested. Instead something very interesting happened, Moratti was more fascinated by a young fullback who would go on to be his first signing as Inter president that summer. 20 years later, captaining the team on 28th April 2013 against Palermo, disaster struck again. The Dock Sud native suffered what seemed to be career threatening injury. “You’re mad to think at your age you will make a comeback,” his teammate Hernan Crespo told him. It was a cruel way to bow out of the game for a man who’d given unrivaled service and dedication to our beloved sport. Il Trattore however would make a return. “After traveling so many kilometers, I just needed to change my tires; I want to come back even stronger.” True to his words he did make a comeback but not as strong, at least by the standards he’d set for himself over the years at Inter since that maiden appearance against Vicenza in 1995. Fitness has always been Zanetti’s key for success and what made him such a phenomenal player. His teammates always complained how much he used to run. Once with his wife at a Madrid airport, awaiting his friends to arrive the flight was delayed for some time and so he asked his wife for permission to go for a run. On his wedding day he’d brought with him some trainers and clothes to change. Extreme? Maybe. Better yet hearken back to that eventful night where Inter and Tottenham played out a thrilling Europa liga quarterfinal match. It was during half time of extra time and where most players were rushing to get bottles of water, looking exhausted and battered up. One man looked fresh as a daisy it was the oldest one on the pitch. His jersey tucked into his short, socks pulled up, his hair still neatly done, having a joke with the ref and not only encouraging his Inter teammates but also the Spurs players while doing some little jumps ready for the last 15 minutes. That one moment defined Javier Zanetti. At the end of 120mins he looked fresher than any substitute. Versatility on the pitch also made him stand out. He could play wherever in defense and anywhere in midfield one reason why all 20 different coaches at Inter have been able to find a place for him on the squad apart from his great performances. Whilst most great legends are idolized and acclaimed for the spectacular or skill they flaunted, nobody could do the simple things with excellent finesse like Zanetti. Debatably no one still can. He played with great players, some with egos too big to handle and legends alike but has never stirred up any trouble in fact he got on well with all. His humility, professionalism, attitude and outstanding loyalty have been a blazing candle shining through the darkest and brightest times. Even not under Stramaccioni, a coach 3years younger than him did he ever show petulance. Last week Coach Mazzari denied him a substitute appearance in what would be his final Milan derby, Zanetti didn’t whine. National team coaches have overlooked him without Zanetti ever complaining. To date he still is Argentina’s most capped player despite missing the last 2 world cup tournaments, omissions which were unjustified. Jose Mourinho once described him best, “To me Zanetti represents the joy of living, the joy of making football your job every morning. He is the smile, the life force, the passion for training, the good cheer for everyone who works with him.” The story of Javier Zanetti is told through the voices of teammates, coaches, football fans, journalists and great personalities but most importantly the man’s actions, character and discipline every time he takes to the field as much as he’s off it. During the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, Zanetti looked over to his teammate Walter Samuel and started to cry. Later in the dressing room he held the trophy and professed out loud, “I have been chasing you and suffered for you. I will never let you go.” So for one last hurrah when he runs to the pitch against Lazio infront of the Curva Nord faithful most if not all will be emotional, close to tears, as will million viewers across the globe (including me) hoping if it were possible never to let this legend go. ‘un capitano… c’es solo un capitano.’ They will sing In honor of his mom, Zanetti still keeps the famous hairstyle which she combed him as a child. Football now needs to honor Zanetti.
Posted on: Sun, 11 May 2014 22:47:59 +0000
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