Inter legend and current vice-President Javier Zanetti turns 44 today.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentine in 1973, the full-back joined the Nerazzurri from Banfield in the summer of 1995, the first signing of then-owner Massimo Moratti.
What followed was an extraordinary career at San Siro, as Zanetti became known as one of the best right-backs in the world thanks to his skill, stamina and defensive nous.
The 1997-98 season brought his first trophy with the Beneamata, as a Ronaldo-inspired side lifted the UEFA Cup.
Inter legend and current vice-President Javier Zanetti turns 44 today.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentine in 1973, the full-back joined the Nerazzurri from Banfield in the summer of 1995, the first signing of then-owner Massimo Moratti.
What followed was an extraordinary career at San Siro, as Zanetti became known as one of the best right-backs in the world thanks to his skill, stamina and defensive nous.
The 1997-98 season brought his first trophy with the Beneamata, as a Ronaldo-inspired side lifted the UEFA Cup.
Nicknamed ‘El Tractor’ or ‘Pupi’, Zanetti marauded up and down Inter’s right side for season after season, winning back-to-back Coppe Italia in 2005 and 2006.
However, the Argentine was continually unable to get his hands on the Serie A title, something his club hadn’t won since 1989.
That all changed in the wake of the Calciopoli scandal, with the award of the 2005-06 Scudetto originally won by Juventus kicking-off a golden period for Zanetti and his club.
The Nerazzurri won Serie A for five seasons in a row, also lifting the Coppa Italia in 2010 and 2011.
In the former season, they achieved something which no Italian side has done before or since, winning the treble of Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League.
Under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, the Beneamata swept all before them at home and abroad, with Zanetti making an incredible 55 appearances across all competitions at the age of 36.
In January 2011 he became the club’s all-time top appearance maker, and in May of that same year he made his 1000th professional appearance.
During the 2013-14 season, it was announced that Zanetti would finally hang up his boots, with his last game coming away at Chievo on May 18.
Following his retirement, Zanetti moved upstairs and became the Nerazzurri’s vice-President, a role he occupies to this day.
In total Zanetti made 858 appearances for Inter, as well as breaking the record for Argentina caps with 143, a record which stands to this day.
Javier Zanetti
Appearances: 957 [858 for Inter]
Goals: 26 [21 for Inter]
Honours: Serie A [2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10], Champions League [2010], Coppa Italia [2005, 2006, 2010, 2011], UEFA Cup [1998], Club World Cup [2010]
International caps: 143
Goals: 5