The Nerazzurri’s legendary Argentinean defender Javier Zanetti has reveled in the opportunity to have captained some of the world’s greatest ever players, wherein he also was blessed to capture the treble for Inter in 2009/10 – a season that is forever remembered to be a Jose Mourinho epic.
Speaking to Sorare in an exclusive interview (via FCInterNews), Zanetti began by shining light on his responsibility as a captain, where he managed several greats of the game.
“Being captain is a great responsibility, first of all because I began to do it as a young man. Then I was captain of great players like Baggio, Ronaldo, Eto’o, Ibrahimovic. A captain is not the one who screams the most, but he is the one who makes the difference with the example”.
El Tractor finally disclosed what it felt like to be the leading pillar of coach Mourinho’s treble-winning side in 2009/10.
“It was an intense, special year, each of us felt we were facing a great opportunity. José was able to build a group of great players, with great personalities. In the last two months we have had two decisive games: the one against Chelsea was complicated, then with Barcelona it was an early final. Finally the real final, in the Bernabeu, with everything that represents that stadium. As captain, I had the privilege of lifting the Cup and bringing him back to Milan. It will always remain in the history of the club and football: for me it was like a dream come true.”
The legendary versatile spent 19 seasons at the Giuseppe Meazza – from 1995/96 to 2013/14 – forever etching his name into club folklore.