Ivan Ramiro Cordoba will always be synonymous with Inter’s golden era between 2004 and 2010 but the former Colombia defender admits his early years at the club were not easy.

In an extensive interview, being published in The Sunday Times of Malta, Cordoba, who had joined Inter from Argentine club San Lorenzo in 2000, says: “The first few years were quite difficult because we worked very hard, with a lot of commitment, to achieve results and reap the benefits of our efforts but we didn’t succeed in giving this happiness to our fans and the club”.

Cordoba, who also played more than 70 games for Colombia, points at the Coppa Italia success in 2005 as the turning point for Inter as that trophy unblocked the players psychologically.

“Then a Coppa Italia success arrived and it lifted the weight of not having won a major title,” Cordoba remarks.

Cordoba, who retired from football in 2012, will be in Malta next weekend to oversee a three-day training camp for children at the Luxol Stadium.

One session will also be held in Gozo while fans will get the opportunity to meet their idol as well as former Inter goalkeeper Francesco Toldo during a Gala Dinner.

The training camp is being organised by Inter Club Pupi Zanetti Malta.
More information on Cordoba’s visit may be obtained by calling on 9949-4762.