Inter Extends Javier Zanetti’s Contract
There may be a lot of changes going on at Italian and European champions Italian Milan, but one thing will remain the same: captain Javier Zanetti will be an Interista for at least another two years.
According to Sky Sport 24, Zanetti extended his deal with the Nerazzurri today, signing a contract that will keep him in Milan until 2013. The Argentinean had a year left on his previous contract, but reportedly wanted to sign a deal that would allow him to finish his career at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
"Inter means a lot to me," Zanetti told the Italian press. "I was very young when I came here and I think not many teams could have had so much faith and patience with a boy in his early 20s from the very first day like Inter did with me. I will always be grateful for that,” he said, explaining that he hoped to continue working with the team once his playing days were over.
Zanetti was the first player signed by President Massimo Moratti in 1995, and he became the team’s captain only four years later. In that time, he has become Inter’s answer to Paolo Maldini, who was a mainstay at city rivals AC Milan. Known by the nicknames "Il Trattore" (The Tractor) and “Il Capitano" (The Captain), Zanetti has been a model of consistency for the Nerazzuri, racking up 700 appearances for the team. This, in fact, is a club record for the highest all-time appearances by a non-Italian born player, and second all-time (after Giuseppe Bergomi).
Unbelievably, the classy defender has also not received a red card in more than eleven years, with his last sending off coming in 1999. Capable of playing at either full back position or as a defensive midfielder, Zanetti has also made 136 appearances for the Argentinean team, but was controversially left off the 2010 World Cup team by coach Diego Maradona.
The extension is nicely timed, as the Nerazzuri captain will be celebrating his 37th birthday tomorrow. Despite his age, though, the defender is expected to be an integral component of the squad under new coach Rafael Benitez.
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