Javier Adelmar Zanetti is one of the best players in the world. He is an Argentina international and features for the Italian powerhouse Inter Milan. He has been at Inter since 1995 and has been wearing the captain’s armband since 1999. Zanetti is a versatile player who can play as a right-back, right winger or midfielder.
Zanetti was born in Buenos Aires and grew up in the harbour area in the Dock Sud district. He commenced his playing career at Argentine side Banfield after being rejected by the youth divisions of Argentina’s Independiente. He made his debut for Banfield in September 1993 against Argentine superpowers River Plate.
In 1995 after rejecting offers from both River Plate and Boca Juniors, Zanetti moved to Inter Milan, becoming Inter president Massimo Moratti’s first ever signing. He made his Inter debut against Vicenza Calcio and since his move to the blue and black half of Milan, he has won 16 major trophies in total including five Scudetti and one Champions League.
| Position | Defender |
| Height / weight | 1.78 m / 75 kg |
| Born | 10 Aug 1973 |
| Nationality |
Argentina
|
| Nickname | Il Capitano, Il Trattore, |
| Team History | |
Inter Milan
|
1995 - 2014 |
Club Atletico Banfield
|
1993 - 1995 |
| Talleres de Remedios de Escalada | 1992 - 1993 |
Zanetti has also graced the international circuit with pomp and grandeur. He has featured in more than 140 matches for Argentina and made his debut against Chile under coach Daniel Passarella in 1994. He has played for Argentina in the 1998 and 2002 World Cup finals and also played in the 1995, 1999, 2004 and 2007 Copa America competitions.
Zanetti is involved with a lot of charity work and along with his wife Paula, created the Fundación PUPI (PUPI foundation) in Argentina for the social integration of poor children during the economic crisis in Argentina in 2001.
