J.ZANETTI ON INTER CHANNEL: TWO TREASURES"
Saturday, 24 December 2005 18:28:01
MILAN - Over the Christmas break Inter.it offers you a series of interviews with Nerazzurri players made for Inter Channel programme 'Raggi X'. After Alvaro Recoba, it's Inter captain Javier Zanetti's turn:
Let's start the interview in a slightly different way and talk about women...
"Everyone likes beautiful women. Each man appreciates beauty, but feelings are another thing. You can easily admit you've seen a beautiful woman and appreciate her beauty. One of my favourites? Angelina Jolie, she's splendid in some of her films, especially in one with Brad Pitt. Would I like to live a day as Brad Pitt? No, I like being myself and it's fine like this."
Do you get love letters from your fans?
"Many letters arrive. Not just of love, but also from many fans who love the way I play. I even get some letters with photos, some real candidates..."
Let's go from Angelina Jolie to another splendid creature - your daughter Sol.
"A stupendous creature. She has really changed my life, I can't imagine feeling as many emotions and feelings as when I saw my daughter born. Life has changed positively and magnificently for me and Paula. I watched the birth and I was lucky because I was with the national team when it was time for the birth. Paula told me she would have waited for me and she was right. Sol came into the world the day I came back from national team duty. I will never forget this experience, you need to be prepared for it because it's not easy, but it's a wonderful thing. We had a nice birth and Sol was born smiling. I would like always to live these moments, you never forget them."
Did you really miss the fact that you didn't have a child?
"We wanted a child to complete all the moments we have lived through together. I and Paula have had lots of fun, now it was the moment to become parents."
When you return to Argentina what do you see compared to the Argentina that was yours?
"I see a different Argentina, an Argentina that has got worse over the years. When I was a boy I could go and play in the courtyard until two or three in the morning and my parents would stay calmly indoors because they knew nothing would happen. You can't do this now because there's violence. Everyone talks about Argentina as a state with an economic problem, but sooner or later the economy gets sorted out. The most difficult thing is the social problem in Argentina. The youngsters don't have enough alternatives, they don't know what the future will bring them. They always ask us players what we will do after we stop playing, but now I couldn't say I will return to my country, because I have a daughter who is growing and I want to give her all the best possible. I don't know if this is possible in Argentina. But the worst thing is that it seems like the Argentine people have got used to this situation."
Could playing in and winning a World Cup be an important sign for your country?
"Yes, it could give an important and very strong message. Through sport we are followed by the whole country. The people follow us and feel part of it. It would be wonderful if we won the World Cup."
You have a never-ending season ahead of you...
"It's true, let's hope the results come that both Argentina and Inter haven't had. Results that we all deserve."
How do you prepare yourself for a season like this?
"I'm a very positive boy and in each difficulty I always look for the positive side that gives you the enthusiasm to continue. Have I always been like this? Yes, since I was a child. Even when I went to school I was all perfect and precise. I wanted everything to be done well and I did my best to succeed."
What is the best talent for a captain?
"To be ready and useful when needed. I have always behaved like this since I arrived at Inter. The most important thing for a human being is always to be yourself. The captain's armband should not change a person, they have always respected me for how I am and it will continue to be like this. People then may or may not like this behaviour. The captain's armband at a club like Inter is clearly important and it means a great deal to me."
Do you go to the cinema now and then?
"Sometimes me and Paula go to the cinema in Como and we have the theatre all to ourselves because no one goes in the afternoon."
What are your other hobbies?
"After training now I stay with my daughter, meet a few friends or go to the cinema. I'm also studying English at the moment."
Are Italian or foreign referees better?
"They're almost all the same everywhere. The important thing is that there is always respect and good faith. Have I argued with any referee in particular. I haven't argued, but I was very disappointed when Braschi showed me my first red card in an Inter v Parma a few years ago. I had nothing to do with it and he sent me off."
Which matches do you feel more, those with Juventus or Milan?
"With Milan, without doubt.
And I don't like the Rossoneri fans either because they have a way of behaving, particularly when they win, that I don't appreciate."
What is your wish for Christmas and the New Year?
"Many, many wishes to the whole world. Much peace and happiness for everybody."
ahahahah Forza Il Capitano!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
