Javier Zanetti – a tribute to the man, the footballer

When Javier Zanetti was carried off in Sicily just 14 minutes into his 1101th game not many, if any, would have given a chance to the 39-year-old of making a comeback from a ruptured Achilles tendon. However, such is the will of the man and the love for the game that he wants to come back even stronger and play on for another year, at least.

Not many would have predicted the success that Zanetti has had when aged just 15 he was rejected by Independiente, for being too small to make it as a professional footballer. However, he did and that too after spending his days delivering milk and laying bricks with his father and playing in shoes that his father had sewed for him.

Once he had found his first professional break, it was only going to matter of time before he made his mark in Argentina, as well as on the world stage. It only took him a year to progress from the second division to the first division. One instinctively knew that much better things lay ahead of him. In his 20+ years playing for Talleres, Banfield and Internazionale not only has he done great, he has been an epitome for every professional in all respects.

Zanetti holds the record for the highest number of appearances for a Nerazzurri player after overtaking former club captain Giuseppe Bergomi and is second only to Paolo Maldini in terms of all time appearances in Serie A.  Although, primarily a right back, Zanetti has played as a left back, center back, central midfield, central defensive midfield, left wing and right wing for the Milanese club and never has he shirked any responsibilities. This shows that the man has not only been on top of his game but has been tenacious and determined enough to do well wherever he has been deployed.