Javier Zanetti

“I'm a fan of Independiente, so I'd naturally like to wear their colours, and I also like Banfield, who gave me a lot as a young player. Either would be nice.”

“You need passion and commitment in your sport or else you will never survive that long. Of course you also have to give it your best shot and be responsible for your own behaviour both on and off the field before you can fully enjoy the game for such a long period of time.”

“I can honestly say that there's nothing more beautiful for a sportsperson that to play for his or her country, regardless of the tournament or the location.”

“Inter are one big family to me and the club is like a second home to me.”

“I never settle.”

“I go to the hairdresser once a month and even if I don't use products, I always want to look tidy.”

“I have always tried to be myself on the pitch and probably my biggest pleasure is when fans of other teams come to show me their respect.”

“A lot of things, experiences I had, helped me to grow up and mature, both in terms of my football career and my private life too.”

“I have always been proud to play for my country and every time I am called up, I play with the same desire and commitment.”

“I want to be useful for the team, depending on whatever position the coach chooses for me. That's the spirit I've always had.”

“Benitez is a coach with clear ideas and lots of experience in football.”

“My secret is to train as intensively as I can, if possible, with the same intensity you experience in a real match.”

“There's no point in dwelling on the controversies created by others.”

“Strikers get periods like this, periods when you do everything right and others when you can't do anything properly.”

“When I look back to my infancy many images come to mind, beautiful and ugly.”

“The bond between Inter and I will last forever.”

“Inter is my life.”

“My only desire was to defend and honour the Inter jersey in any country all over the world.”

“When I look back to my childhood, many concrete scenes come to my mind, good ones and bad ones.”

“I am enjoying everything football has given me, and I want to enjoy to the maximum every chance I am allowed.”