Inter vice president Javier Zanetti discussed the current Inter squad, the Treble winning side and the upcoming summer transfer window in an interview with International media outlet ESPN today.

First, he discussed his emotions after winning the 2010 Champions League final in Madrid.

“It was the realization of a dream. It was an enormous honour for me to be captain of that team. Inter hadn’t won that Cup for forty-five years, so it was very important for me and for the whole team. We knew it meant crowning an impressive year, with many difficulties but made by great men, of a great team that had made an incredible course. When we went in there, we knew we could do it. Julio Cesar stopped the ball with his hands, looked at Walter Samuel and said: ‘Walter, we are champions’. For me it was a wonderful moment, the best moment of my life. With three minutes to go, I started crying.”

The Nerazzurri legend then discussed the Milanese club’s victory over Barcelona in the semi-finals.

“Yes, we won against the best team because they were the best team without a shadow of a doubt. We won 3-1 at the San Siro. Against Barcelona they were two incredible games, then at the Camp Nou we were this close to the final, we wanted to win it. It wasn’t easy to play, it wouldn’t have been easy 11 v 11, with a man less it was even worse, we had to change the whole strategy of the game. It was an endless game but it was the last step to the dream.”

Zanetti spoke about how it felt to play against Barcelona legend Lionel Messi.

“For me they were two difficult games, Samuel and I had the task of marking Messi. We played with the greatest. Of course, it was a unique opportunity, we played against the big boys. Competition with Messi? You get used to this kind of thing over time, it’s football. We had the finals on the line, we had to write history.”

He described the coach of that team, Jose Mourinho.

“Mourinho is special, for all that he represents. He is a great coach and an exceptional person, he has always dedicated his life to his profession. He conveys a lot of passion, he has a great personality. A motivator, a person who brings out the best in everyone. He is a coach who prepares the games in a unique way.”

The Argentine touched on the UEFA Cup final in 1998.

“The UEFA Cup was my first trophy with Inter. It was a very special evening, in a final with another Italian team, with Ronie… Personally it was a unique evening, it was my first trophy and unforgettable, also because I scored the second in Paris.”

Zanetti discussed today’s Inter squad and the coach Antonio Conte.

“The coach is working really well and you can see the results. Thanks to him the players have improved and now Inter can count on a squad of great value also economically. A mix of promising youngsters and experienced players. It’s a long way to go but I see a good future ahead of us.”

He didn’t know the future of Inter owned striker Mauro Icardi, who is currently on loan at Paris Saint Germain.

“I don’t know, we haven’t talked about the market yet. With the problem we’re experiencing worldwide the most important thing is health. Then we’ll have time to think about all these things.”

Zanetti then moved onto discussing Inter star Lautaro Martinez, who is being followed by Spanish side Barcelona.

“Lautaro has improved a lot in the last year, also thanks to Conte’s work. When we scouted him with Milito and he played in Argentina, I remember how much we believed in him from the beginning. I see him happy at Inter, he identifies with the club. We believed in him. The way I see him, he’s happy here, he identifies with Inter. The rumors about Barcelona? I see his future here.”

The former Argentina defender then discussed the current Argentina squad.

“I see a squad with a lot of grit, it makes me happy. Copa America will be a great opportunity, there will be more time. Argentina is always in my heart.”

Finally, Zanetti spoke about his counterpart at AC Milan, Paolo Maldini.

“Meanwhile I have great respect for Paolo, I’m an admirer of his career. A Milan legend, his father was one, then he, now his son is in the squad. All the times I met him I always did it with respect and admiration. He represents Milan, like I represent Inter. For me Inter is my family, it’s part of my family, it has values in which I have always reflected myself and I have always defended the Inter jersey as my life. I’m happy with the relationship that has been created with Inter and their fans.”

The post Javier Zanetti: “Lautaro Martinez’ Future Is With Inter, Not Spoken About Mauro Icardi Returning” appeared first on Sempreinter.

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